Wrinkle reducing composition

ABSTRACT

There are provided wrinkle reducing compositions and method for treating fabrics in order to improve properties of fabrics, in particular, reduction or removal of unwanted wrinkles, by means of an aqueous composition comprising a nonionic polyhydric alcohol humectant and a salt.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fabric care compositions and to amethod for treating fabrics in order to improve various properties offabrics, in particular, reduction or removal of unwanted wrinkles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wrinkles in fabrics are caused by the bending and creasing of thetextile material which places an external portion of a filament in a yamunder tension while the internal portion of that filament in the yarn isplaced under compression. Particularly with cotton fabrics, the hydrogenbonding that occurs between the cellulose molecules contributes tokeeping wrinkles in place. The wrinkling of fabric, in particularclothing, is therefore subject to the inherent tensional elasticdeformation and recovery properties of the fibers which constitute theyarn and fabrics.

In the modern world, with the increase of hustle and bustle and travel,there is a demand for a quick fix which will help to diminish the laborinvolved in home laundering and/or the cost and time involved in drycleaning or commercial laundering. This has brought additional pressureto bear on textile technologists to produce a product that willsufficiently reduce wrinkles in fabrics, especially clothing, and toproduce a good appearance through a simple, convenient application of aproduct.

The present invention reduces wrinkles from fabrics, including clothing,dry cleanables, and draperies, without the need for ironing. The presentinvention can be used on damp or dry clothing to relax wrinkles and giveclothes a ready to wear look that is demanded by today's fast pacedworld. The present invention also essentially eliminates the need fortouch up ironing usually associated with closet, drawer, and suitcasestorage of garments.

When ironing is desired however, the present invention can also act asan excellent ironing aid. The present invention makes the task ofironing easier and faster by creating less iron drag. When used as anironing aid, the composition of the present invention produces a crisp,smooth appearance.

An additional benefit of the composition of the present invention is animproved garment shape, body and crispness.

A further additional benefit to invention composition is the variety offabric that can be treated from the more resistant to the more delicateincluding fabric made of cotton, polycotton, polyester, viscose, rayon,silk, wool, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wrinkle reducing composition,comprising:

A. a wrinkle reducing active, comprising a nonionic polyhydric alcoholhumectant and a salt made of alkaline and/or earth alkaline metal, and

B. a liquid aqueous carrier.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a packagedcomposition comprising the composition of the invention in a spraydispenser.

Still in a further aspect of the invention, there is a method ofreducing the wrinkles on fabrics which comprises the steps of contactingthe fabrics with a composition of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Wrinkle Reducing Actives

1-Nonionic polyhydric alcohol humectant

The present invention, in one aspect uses a nonionic humectant of thepolyhydric alcohol type. Typical of these compounds are the lowmolecular weight polyols.

Low molecular weight polyols with relatively high boiling points, ascompared to water, are essential ingredients of the composition of thepresent invention.

By “low molecular weight”, it is meant that the compounds preferablyhave a molecular weight below 1000, preferably from 50 to 500, morepreferably from 55 to 200.

Preferably, these polyols are short chain. By “short chain”, it is meantthat the compounds have a carbon chain length of less than 10 carbonatoms, preferably less than 8 carbon atoms.

Not to be bound by theory, it is believed that the incorporation of asmall amount of nonionic polyhydric alcohol humectant into thecompositions containing the water-soluble wetting agent reinforces thehydrogen breaking process as well as reducing the fabric drying rate,thereby allowing more time to the fabric to relax.

Preferred polyols for use herein are selected from polyols having from 2to 8 hydroxy groups.

Preferably the glycol used is glycerol, ethylene glycol, propyleneglycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, sorbitol, erythritol ormixtures thereof, more preferably diethylene glycol, ethylene glycol,propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol and mixtures thereof.

Some polyols, e.g., dipropylene glycol, are also useful to facilitatethe solubilization of some perfume ingredients in the composition of thepresent invention. Both diethylene glycol and dipropylene glycol arefavored for use herein as it provides non-stickiness properties on hardsurfaces and/or fabrics.

The humectant is present in the composition in a sufficient amount toresult in an amount of from 0.005% to 5%, preferably from 0.01% to 3%,more preferably from 0.01% to 1.50% by weight of active per weight ofdry fabrics.

Typically, the humectant is added to the composition of the presentinvention at a level of from about 0.01% to about 10%, by weight of thecomposition, preferably from about 0.1% to about 3%, more preferablyfrom about 0.1% to about 1.5%, by weight of the composition.

2-Salt

The present invention in one aspect uses a salt to contribute to thehydrogen bond breaking process produces by the water. It also reinforcesthe wetting power of any present water-soluble surfactant, if present.The salt is further believed to facilitate the dewrinkling action bymaintaining a residual humidity of fibers.

The salt useful in the present invention is made of alkaline and/orearth alkaline metal, and is a compound that can form hydrates uponcrystallization. Typically, the salt for use in the present inventionhave the following formula: AM;

wherein A is a cation. This cation is an alkaline and/or earth alkalinemetal, preferably selected from sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium;more preferably sodium and calcium, and

wherein M is a couteranion selected from sulfate, chloride, nitrate,carbonate, borate, and carboxylates.

Preferred salts are salts selected from sodium, calcium, potassium,magnesium and mixtures thereof; more preferably salt of sodium, calcium,and mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferred salts for use herein are selected from sodiumsulphate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, sodium borate, potassiumsulphate, calcium chloride, sodium citrate, magnesium sulphate, andmixtures thereof, more preferably are selected from sodium sulphate,sodium bicarbonate, potassium sulphate, calcium chloride, and mixturesthereof.

The salt is present in the composition in a sufficient amount to resultin an amount of from 0.005% to 5%, preferably from 0.01% to 3%, morepreferably from 0.01% to 1.50% by weight of active per weight of dryfabrics.

Accordingly, typical levels of the salt in the composition are from0.01% to about 10%, by weight of the composition, preferably from about0.1% to about 3%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 1.5%, byweight of the composition.

B. Liquid Carrier

The liquid carrier used in the composition of the present invention isan aqueous system comprising water. Optionally, but not preferably, inaddition to the water, the carrier can contain a low molecular weightorganic solvent that is highly soluble in water, e.g., C₁-C₄ monohydricalcohols, alkylene carbonates, and mixtures thereof. Examples of thesewater-soluble solvents include ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, etc.Water is the main liquid carrier due to its low cost, availability,safety, and environmental compatibility. Water can be distilled,deionized, or tap water.

The level of liquid carrier in the compositions of the present inventionis typically greater than 80%, preferably greater than 90%, morepreferably greater than 95%, by weight of the composition. When aconcentrated composition is used, the level of liquid carrier istypically from 50% to 95%, by weight of the composition, preferably from60% to 97%, more preferably from 70% to 99%, by weight of thecomposition.

C. Optional Ingredients

1-Water Soluble Wetting Agent

A water-soluble wetting agent is a preferred optional ingredient of thecomposition of the present invention. The wetting agent for use hereinare selected from a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant and ananionic surfactant. Further suitable wetting agents are the zwiterrionicsurfactants such as the betaine or sulphobetaine surfactantscommercially available from Seppic and Albright & Wilson respectively,under the trade name of Amonyl 265® and Empigen® BB/L. These wettingagent facilitates the action of water. Indeed, the water penetrates intothe fabric where it breaks hydrogen bonds between fibers resulting infiber relaxation. By use of the wetting agent, the water action isfurther facilitated via the wetting properties of the water solublesurfactant.

By “water-soluble wetting agent”, it is meant that the wetting agentforms substantially clear, isotropic solutions when dissolved in waterat 0.2 weight percent at 25° C.

Water-soluble Cationic Surfactant

Any type of water-soluble cationic surfactant can be used to impart thewetting property. However, some water-soluble cationic surfactants andmixtures thereof are more preferred. Hence, it is preferred that thecationic surfactant is a surface-active molecule with a linear orbranched hydrophobic tail and a positively charged hydrophilic headgroup, more preferably, the cationic surfactant for use in the presentinvention is quaternary ammonium salt of formula:

[R¹N⁺R³]X⁻

wherein the R¹ group is C₁₀-C₂₂ hydrocarbon group, preferably C₁₂-C₁₈alkyl group or the corresponding ester linkage interrupted group with ashort alkylene (C₁-C₄) group between the ester linkage and the N, andhaving a similar hydrocarbon group, e.g., a fatty acid ester of choline,preferably C₁₂-C₁₄ (coco) choline ester and/or C₁₆-C₁₈ tallow cholineester. The hydrocarbon group may be interrupted by further groups likeCOO, OCO, O, CO, OCOO, CONH, NHCO, OCONH and NHCOO. Each R is a C₁-C₄alkyl or substituted (e.g., hydroxy) alkyl, or hydrogen, preferablymethyl, and the counterion X⁻ is a softener compatible anion, forexample, chloride, bromide, methyl sulfate, etc.

The long chain group R1, of the single-long-chain-alkyl surfactant,typically contains an alkylene group having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms,preferably from 12 to about 16 carbon atoms, more preferably from 12 to18 carbon atoms. This R1 group can be attached to the cationic nitrogenatom through a group containing one, or more, ester, amide, ether,amine, etc., preferably ester, linking groups which can be desirable forincreased hydrophilicity, biodegradability, etc. Such linking groups arepreferably within about three carbon atoms of the nitrogen atom. Apreferred cationic surfactant of this type is N,Ndimethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-dodecyl/tetradecyl ammonium bromide.

If the corresponding, non-quaternary amines are used, any acid(preferably a mineral or polycarboxylic acid) which is added to keep theester groups stable will also keep the amine protonated in thecompositions.

Typical disclosure of these cationic surfactants suitable for use in thepresent invention are the choline ester surfactants of formula:

wherein R₁ is a C₁₀-C₂₂ linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl or alkarylchain or M⁻.N⁺(R₆R₇R₈)(CH₂)_(s); X and Y, independently, are selectedfrom the group consisting of COO, OCO, O, CO, OCOO, CONH, NHCO, OCONHand NHCOO wherein at least one of X or Y is a COO, OCO, OCOO, OCONH orNHCOO group; R₂, R₃, R₄, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently selected fromthe group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl and hydroxy-alkenylgroups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and alkaryl groups; and R₅ isindependently H or a C₁-C₃ alkyl group; wherein the values of m, n, sand t independently lie in the range of from 0 to 8, the value of b liesin the range from 0 to 20, and the values of a, u and v independentlyare either 0 or 1 with the proviso that at least one of u or v must be1; and wherein M is a counter anion.

Preferably M is selected from the group consisting of halide, methylsulfate, sulfate, and nitrate, more preferably methyl sulfate, chloride,bromide or iodide.

A preferred choline ester surfactant is selected from those having theformula:

wherein R₁ is a C₁₀-C₂₂, preferably a C₁₂-C₁₄ linear or branched alkyl,alkenyl or alkaryl chain; X is selected from the group consisting ofCOO, OCO, OCOO, OCONH and NHCOO; R₂, R₃, and R₄ are independentlyselected from the group consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl groupshaving from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R₅ is independently H or a C₁-C₃alkyl group; wherein the value of n lies in the range of from 0 to 8,the value of b lies in the range from 0 to 20, the value of a is either0 or 1, and the value of m is from 3 to 8.

More preferably R₂, R₃ and R₄ are independently selected from a C₁-C₄alkyl group and a C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkyl group. In one preferred aspect atleast one, preferably only one of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is a hydroxyalkyl group.The hydroxyalkyl preferably has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, morepreferably 2 or 3 carbon atoms, most preferably 2 carbon atoms. Inanother preferred aspect at least one of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is a C₂-C₃ alkylgroup, more preferably two C₂-C₃ alkyl groups are present.

Highly preferred water soluble choline ester surfactants are the estershaving the formula:

where m is from 1 to 4, preferably 2 or 3 and wherein R₁ is a C₁₁-C₁₉,preferably a C₁₂-C₁₄ linear or branched alkyl chain.

Particularly preferred choline esters of this type include the stearoylcholine ester quaternary methylammonium halides (R¹═C₁₇ alkyl),palmitoyl choline ester quaternary methylammonium halides (R¹═C₁₅alkyl), myristoyl choline ester quaternary methylammonium halides(R¹═C₁₃ alkyl), lauroyl choline ester methylammonium halides (R¹═C₁₁alkyl), cocoyl choline ester quaternary methylammonium halides(R¹═C₁₁-C₁₃ alkyl), tallowyl choline ester quaternary methylammoniumhalides (R¹═C₁₅-C₁₇ alkyl), and any mixtures thereof.

Most particularly preferred choline esters of this type are selectedfrom myristoyl choline ester quaternary methylammonium halides, lauroylcholine ester methylammonium halides, cocoyl choline ester quaternarymethylammhonium halides, and any mixtures thereof.

Other suitable choline ester surfactants have the structural formulasbelow, wherein d may be from 0 to 20.

The particularly preferred choline esters, given above, may be preparedby the direct esterification of a fatty acid of the desired chain lengthwith dimethylaminoethanol, in the presence of an acid catalyst. Thereaction product is then quaternized with a methyl halide, preferably inthe presence of a solvent such as ethanol, water, propylene glycol orpreferably a fatty alcohol ethoxylate such as C₁₀-C₁₈ fatty alcoholethoxylate having a degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 50 ethoxy groupsper mole forming the desired cationic material. They may also beprepared by the direct esterification of a long chain fatty acid of thedesired chain length together with 2-haloethanol, in the presence of anacid catalyst material. The reaction product is then quaternized withtrimethylamine, forming the desired cationic material.

Still other suitable water-soluble cationic surfactants for use in thepresent invention are the cationic materials with ring structures suchas alkyl imidazoline, imdazolinium, pyridine, and pyridinium saltshaving a single C₁₂-C₃₀ alkyl chain can also be used.

Some alkyl imidazolinium salts useful in the present invention have thegeneral formula:

wherein Y² is —C(O)—O—, —O—(O)—C—, —C(O)—N(R5), or —N(R5)—C(O)— in whichR5 is hydrogen or a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical; R⁶ is a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical; R⁷and R⁸ are each independently selected from R and R² as definedhereinbefore for the single-long-chain cationic surfactant with only onebeing R².

Some alkyl pyridinium salts useful in the present invention have thegeneral formula:

wherein R² and X⁻ are as defined above. A typical material of this typeis cetyl pyridinium chloride.

Water-soluble Nonionic Surfactant

Suitable wetting agents are the nonionic surfactants. Typical of thesesurfactants are the alkoxylated surfactants. It provides a low surfacetension that permits the composition to spread readily and moreuniformly on hydrophobic surfaces like polyester and nylon. Saidsurfactant is preferably included when the composition is used in aspray dispenser in order to enhance the spray characteristics of thecomposition and allow the composition to distribute more evenly, and toprevent clogging of the spray apparatus. The spreading of thecomposition also allows it to dry faster, so that the treated materialis ready to use sooner. For concentrated compositions, the surfactantfacilitates the dispersion of many actives such as antimicrobial activesand perfumes in the concentrated aqueous compositions.

Nonlimiting examples of nonionic alkoxylated surfactants includeaddition products of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids,fatty amines, etc. Optionally, addition products of propylene oxide withfatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty amines may be used.

Suitable compounds are surfactants of the general formula:

R²—Y—(C₂H₄O)_(z)—C₂H₄OH

wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondaryand branched chain alkyl and/or acyl hydrocarbyl groups; primary,secondary and branched chain alkenyl hydrocarbyl groups; and primary,secondary and branched chain alkyl- and alkenyl-substituted phenolichydrocarbyl groups; said hydrocarbyl groups preferably having ahydrocarbyl chain length of from 6 to 20, preferably from 8 to 18 carbonatoms. More preferably the hydrocarbyl chain length is from 10 to 18carbon atoms. In the general formula for the ethoxylated nonionicsurfactants herein, Y is —O—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R)—, or —C(O)N(R)R—, inwhich R, when present, is R² or hydrogen, and z is at least 2,preferably at least 4, more preferably from 5 to 11.

The nonionic surfactants herein are characterised by an HLB(hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) of from 7 to 20, preferably from 8 to15. Of course, by defining R² and the number of ethoxylate groups, theHLB of the surfactant is, in general, determined. However, it is to benoted that the nonionic ethoxylated surfactants useful herein containrelatively long chain R² groups and are relatively highly ethoxylated.While shorter alkyl chain surfactants having short ethoxylated groupsmay possess the requisite HLB, they are not as effective herein.

Examples of nonionic surfactants follow. The nonionic surfactants ofthis invention are not limited to these examples. In the examples, theinteger defines the number of ethoxyl (EQ) groups in the molecule.

a. Straight-Chain, Primary Alcohol Alkoxylates

The tri-, penta-, hepta-ethoxylates of dodecanol, and tetradecanol areuseful surfactants in the context of this invention. The ethoxylates ofmixed natural or synthetic alcohols in the “coco” chain length range arealso useful herein. Commercially available straight-chain, primaryalcohol alkoxylates for use herein 15 are available under the tradenameMarlipal® 24/70, Marlipal® 24/100, Marlipal® 24/150 from Huls, andGenapol® C-050 from Hoechst.

b. Straight-Chain, Secondary Alcohol Alkoxylates

The tri-, penta-, hepta-ethoxylates of 3-hexadecanol, 2-octadecanol,4eicosanol, and 5-eicosanol are useful surfactants in the context ofthis invention. A commercially available straight-chain secondaryalcohol ethoxylate for use herein is the material marketed under thetradename Tergitol 15-S-7 from Union Carbide, which comprises a mixtureof secondary alcohols having an average hydrocarbyl chain length of 11to 15 carbon atoms condensed with an average 7 moles of ethylene oxideper mole equivalent of alcohol. Still another suitable commerciallyavailable straight-chain secondary alcohol ethoxylate for use herein isthe material marketed under the tradename Softanol obtainable from BPChemicals Ltd. or Nippon Catalytic of Japan. Particularly useful hereinare Softanol 50, Softanol 90, which comprises a mixture of linearsecondary alcohol 30 having an average hydrocarbyl chain length of 11 to16 carbon atoms condensed with an average of 5 to 10 moles of ethyleneoxide per mole equivalent of alcohol.

c. Alkyl Phenol Alkoxylates

Suitable alkyl phenol alkoxylates are the polyethylene oxide condensatesof alkyl phenols, e.g., the condensation products of alkyl phenolshaving an alkyl or alkenyl group containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms ina primary, secondary or branched chain configuration, preferably from 8to 12 carbon atoms, with ethylene oxide, the said ethylene oxide beingpreferably present in amounts equal to 3 to 11 moles of ethylene oxideper mole of alkyl phenol. The alkyl substituent in such compounds may bederived from polymerized propylene, diisobutylene, octane, and nonane.Examples of this type of nonionic surfactants include Triton N-57® anonyl phenol ethoxylate (5EO) from Rohm & Haas, Dowfax® 9N5 from Dow andLutensol® AP6 from BASF.

d. Olefinic Alkoxylates

The alkenyl alcohols, both primary and secondary, and alkenyl phenolscorresponding to those disclosed immediately hereinabove can beethoxylated and used as surfactants.

Commercially available olefinic alkoxylates for use herein are availableunder the tradename Genapol 0-050 from Hoechst.

e. Branched Chain Alkoxylates

Branched chain primary and secondary alcohols (or Guerbet alcohols)which may be available from the well-known “OXO” process or modificationthereof can be ethoxylated.

Particularly preferred among these ethoxylates of the primary OXOalcohols are the surfactants marketed under the name Lutensol by BASF orDobanol by the Shell Chemicals, U.K., LTD. The preferred Dobanols areprimary alcohols with hydrocarbyl groups of 9 to 15 carbon atoms, withthe majority having a hydrocarbyl group of 13 carbon atoms. Particularlypreferred are Dobanols with an average degree of ethoxylation of 3 to11, and preferably 7 on the average.

An example of this type of material is an aliphatic alcohol ethyleneoxide condensate having from 3 to less than 9 moles of ethylene oxideper mole of aliphatic alcohol, the aliphatic alcohol fraction havingfrom 9 to 14 carbon atoms. Other examples of this type of nonionicsurfactants include certain of the commercially available Dobanol®,Neodol® marketed by Shell, Lutensol® from BASF, or Lial® from Enichem.For example Dobanol® 23.5 (C12-C13 EO5), Dobanol® 91.5 (C9-C11 EO 5),Neodol 45 E5, and Lial-145.7 EO (oxo C 14 15 alcohol+7.0 mol of EO),Lial 111 EO 6 and Isalchem 123 series from Enichem.

Other suitable nonionic alkoxylated surfactants are alkyl aminesalkoxylated with at least 5 alkoxy moieties. Typical of this class ofcompounds are the surfactants derived from the condensation of ethyleneoxide with an hydrophobic alkyl amine product. Preferably thehydrophobic alkyl group, has from 6 to 22 carbon atoms. Preferably, thealkyl amine is alkoxylated with 10 to 40, and more preferably 20 to 30alkoxy moieties.

Example of this type of nonionic surfactants are the alkyl amineethoxylate commercially available under the tradename Genamin fromHoechst. Suitable example for use herein are Genamin C-100, GenaminO-150, and Genamin S-200.

Still other suitable type of nonionic surfactant among this class arethe N,N′,N′-polyoxyethylene (12)-N-tallow 1,3 diaminopropanecommercialised under the tradename Ethoduomeen T22 from Akzo, andSynprolam from ICI.

Further suitable nonionic surfactants are the alkyl amide surfactants.

Still further nonionic surfactants which may be of use herein are thepolyhydroxyfatty acid surfactants as described in EP-A-659870.

Further nonlimiting examples of nonionic alkoxylated surfactants includethe surfactant which are cyclodextrin-compatible, that is it should notsubstantially form a complex with the cyclodextrin so as to diminishperformance of the cyclodextrin and/or the surfactant. Complex formationdiminishes both the ability of the cyclodextrin to absorb odors and theability of the surfactant to lower the surface tension of the aqueouscomposition. This include block copolymers of ethylene oxide andpropylene oxide. Suitable block polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylenepolymeric surfactants, that are compatible with most cyclodextrins,include those based on ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol,trimethylolpropane and ethylenediamine as the initial reactive hydrogencompound. Polymeric compounds made from a sequential ethoxylation andpropoxylation of initial compounds with a single reactive hydrogen atom,such as C₁₂₋₁₈ aliphatic alcohols, are not generally compatible with thecyclodextrin. Certain of the block polymer surfactant compoundsdesignated Pluronic® and Tetronic®

by the BASF-Wyandotte Corp., Wyandotte, Mich., are readily available.

Non limiting examples of surfactants of this type include:

Pluronic Surfactants with the general formulaH(EO)_(n)(PO)_(m)(EO)_(n)H, wherein EO is an ethylene oxide group, PO isa propylene oxide group, and n and m are numbers that indicate theaverage number of the groups in the surfactants. Typical examples ofcyclodextrin-compatible Pluronic surfactants are:

Name Average MW Average n Average m L-44 2,200 10 23 L-43 1,850 6 22F-38 4,700 43 16 P-84 4,200 19  43, and mixtures thereof.

Tetronic Surfactants with the general formula:

wherein EO, PO, n, and m have the same meanings as above. Typicalexamples of cyclodextrin-compatible Tetronic surfactants are:

Name Average MW Average n Average m 901 4,700 3 18 908 25,000 114  22,and mixtures thereof.

“Reverse” Pluronic and Tetronic surfactants have the following generalformulas:

Reverse Pluronic Surfactants H(PO)_(m)(EO)_(n)(PO)_(m)H

Reverse Tetronic Surfactants

wherein EO, PO, n, and m have the same meanings as above. Typicalexamples of Reverse Pluronic and Reverse Tetronic surfactants are:

Reverse Pluronic surfactants:

Name Average MW Average n Average m 10 R5 1,950 8 22 25 R1 2,700 21 6

Reverse Tetronic surfactants

Name Average MW Average n Average m 130 R2 7,740 9 26  70 R2 3,870 4 13and mixtures thereof.

The Silicone Surfactants

A preferred class of nonionic alkoxylated surfactants are thepolyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanes having a dimethyl polysiloxanehydrophobic moiety and one or more hydrophilic polyalkylene side chains.Examples of this type of surfactants are the Silwet® surfactants whichare available OSi Specialties, Inc., Danbury, Conn., and have thegeneral formula:

wherein a+b are from about 1 to about 50, preferably from about 3 toabout 30, more preferably from about 10 to about 25, and R¹ is mainlyone or more random poly(ethyleneoxide/propyleneoxide) copolymer groupshaving the general formula:

—(CH₂)_(n)O(C₂H₄O)_(c)(C₃H₆O)_(d)R²

wherein n is 3 or 4, preferably 3; total c (for all polyalkyleneoxy sidegroups) has a value of from 1 to about 100, preferably from about 6 toabout 100; total d is from 0 to about 14, preferably from 0 to about 3;and more preferably d is 0; total c+d has a value of from about 5 toabout 150, preferably from about 9 to about 100 and each R² is the sameor different and is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, analkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and an acetyl group, preferablyhydrogen and methyl group.

Representative Silwet surfactants are as follows.

Name Average MW Average a + b Average total c L-7608 600 1 9 L-76071,000 2 17 L-77 600 1 9 L-7605 6,000 20 99 L-7604 4,000 21 53 L-76004,000 11 68 L-7657 5,000 20 76 L-7602 3,000 20 29

The molecular weight of the polyalkyleneoxy group (R¹) is less than orequal to about 10,000. Preferably, the molecular weight of thepolyalkyleneoxy group is less than or equal to about 8,000, and mostpreferably ranges from about 300 to about 5,000. Thus, the values of cand d can be those numbers which provide molecular weights within theseranges. However, the number of ethyleneoxy units (—C₂H₄O) in thepolyether chain (R¹) must be sufficient to render the polyalkyleneoxidepolysiloxane water dispersible or water soluble. If propyleneoxy groupsare present in the polyalkylenoxy chain, they can be distributedrandomly in the chain or exist as blocks. Preferred Silwet surfactantsare L-7600, L-7602, L-7604, L-7605, L-7657, and mixtures thereof.Besides surface activity, polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxane surfactants canalso provide other benefits, such as antistatic benefits, lubricity andsoftness to fabrics.

The preparation of polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanes is well known in theart. Polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanes of the present invention can beprepared according to the procedure set forth in U.S. Pat. No.3,299,112, incorporated herein by reference. Typically,polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanes of the surfactant blend of the presentinvention are readily prepared by an addition reaction between ahydrosiloxane (i.e., a siloxane containing silicon-bonded hydrogen) andan alkenyl ether (e.g., a vinyl, allyl, or methallyl ether) of an alkoxyor hydroxy end-blocked polyalkylene oxide). The reaction conditionsemployed in addition reactions of this type are well known in the artand in general involve heating the reactants (e.g., at a temperature offrom about 85° C. to 110° C.) in the presence of a platinum catalyst(e.g., chloroplatinic acid) and a solvent (e.g., toluene).

The above ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are useful in the presentprocess invention alone or in combination, and the term “nonionicsurfactant” encompasses mixed nonionic surface active agents.

Water-soluble Anionic Surfactant

Still suitable wetting agents are the anionic surfactants. Suitableanionic surfactants for the purpose of the invention include the alkylsulphates (RSO₄), alkyl ether sulphates (R(OCH₂CH₂)eSO₄), alkylsulphonates (RSO₃), alkyl succinates (ROOCCH₂CH₂COOZ), alkylcarboxylates (RCOOM), alkyl ether carboxylates (R(OCH₂CH₂)_(e)COOM). Inthe formulae in brackets, R is a hydrophobic chain (C₆-C₂₂) alkyl oralkenyl, e is from 0 to 20, Z is M or R′, M is H or any counterion suchas those known in the art, including Na, K, Li, NH₄, amine, and R′ is aC₁-C₅ alkyl group, possibly functionalized with hydroxyl groups,preferably C₁-C₃, most preferably methyl. Still other preferred anionicsurfactants for use herein are the alkyl sulphosuccinates(R′OOCCH₂CH(SO₃M)COOR′) wherein R′ is a hydrophobic chain (C₆-C₁₈,preferably C₈-C₁₂) linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl, and M is asdefined hereinbefore. Preferred alkyl sulphosuccinates are commerciallyavailable from CYTEC Industries under the tradename Aerosol TO, andAerosol AOT. Preferred among the above described anionic surfactants areselected from the alkyl sulphate surfactants, alkyl sulphosuccinatesurfactants, and mixtures thereof. Preferred alkyl sulphates for useherein are selected from sodium dodecyl alkyl sulphate, sodium tallowalkyl sulphate, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium octyl sulphate andmixtures thereof. Preferred commercially available compounds areEmpicol® 0298/F and/or Empimin® LV33 from Albright and Wilson.

Still another preferred anionic surfactant for use herein has thegeneral formula:

wherein R is an alkyl group. These surfactants are preferred ingredientswhen a cyclodextrin is present since it is compatible with thecyclodextrin. Examples of this type of surfactants are available fromthe Dow Chemical Company under the trade name Dowfax® wherein R is alinear or branched C₆-C₁₆ alkyl group. An example of these anionicsurfactant is Dowfax 3B2 with R being approximately a linear C₁₀ group.These anionic surfactants are preferably not used when the antimicrobialactive or preservative, etc., is cationic to minimize the interactionwith the cationic actives, since the effect of both surfactant andactive are diminished.

The wetting agent is present in the composition in a sufficient amountto result in an amount of from 0.001% to 5%, preferably from 0.01% to3%, more preferably from 0.01% to 1.50% by weight of active per weightof dry fabrics.

Accordingly, typical levels of the water-soluble wetting agent in thecomposition are from 0.1 to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 5%,more preferably from 0.1% to 1.5% by weight of the composition.

2-Lubricant

In addition to the above humectants which can impart a lubricationproperty to the fabrics, the composition may also optionally employtypical lubricating compounds.

Typical lubricants are those conventionally known as softeners andinclude the cationic softener and nonionic softeners.

Cationic Softeners

Typical of the cationic softening components are the quaternary ammoniumcompounds or amine precursors thereof as defined hereinafter.

A)-Quaternary Ammonium Fabric Softening Active Compound

(1) Preferred quaternary ammonium fabric softening active compound havethe formula

or the formula:

wherein Q is a functional unit having the formula:

each R unit is independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ hydroxyalkyl,and mixtures thereof, preferably methyl or hydroxy alkyl; each R¹ unitis independently linear or branched C₁₁-C₂₂ alkyl, linear or branchedC₁₁-C₂₂ alkenyl, and mixtures thereof, R² is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl,C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkyl, and mixtures thereof; X is an anion which iscompatible with fabric softener actives and adjunct ingredients; theindex m is from 1 to 4, preferably 2; the index n is from 1 to 4,preferably 2.

An example of a preferred fabric softener active is a mixture ofquaternized amines having the formula:

wherein R is preferably methyl; R¹ is a linear or branched alkyl oralkenyl chain comprising at least 11 atoms, preferably at least 15atoms. In the above fabric softener example, the unit —R¹ represents afatty alkyl or alkenyl unit which is typically derived from atriglyceride source. The triglyceride source is preferably derived fromtallow, partially hydrogenated tallow, lard, partially hydrogenatedlard, vegetable oils and/or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, suchas, canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, corn oil,soybean oil, tall oil, rice bran oil, etc. and mixtures of these oils.

The preferred fabric softening actives of the present invention are theDiester and/or Diamide Quaternary Ammonium (DEQA) compounds, thediesters and diamides having the formula:

wherein R, R¹, X, and n are the same as defined herein above forformulas (1) and (2), and Q has the formula:

These preferred fabric softening actives are formed from the reaction ofan amine with a fatty acyl unit to form an amine intermediate having theformula:

wherein R is preferably methyl, Q and R¹ are as defined herein before;followed by quaternization to the final softener active.

Non-limiting examples of preferred amines which are used to form theDEQA fabric softening actives according to the present invention includemethyl bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine having the formula:

methyl bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine having the formula:

methyl (3-aminopropyl) (2-hydroxyethyl)amine having the formula:

methyl bis(2-aminoethyl)amine having the formula:

triethanol amine having the formula:

di(2-aminoethyl) ethanolamine having the formula:

The counterion, X⁽⁻⁾ above, can be any softener-compatible anion,preferably the anion of a strong acid, for example, chloride, bromide,methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate, nitrate and the like, morepreferably chloride or methyl sulfate. The anion can also, but lesspreferably, carry a double charge in which case X⁽⁻⁾ represents half agroup.

Tallow and canola oil are convenient and inexpensive sources of fattyacyl units which are suitable for use in the present invention as R¹units. The following are non-limiting examples of quaternary ammoniumcompounds suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention.The term “tallowyl” as used herein below indicates the R¹ unit isderived from a tallow triglyceride source and is a mixture of fattyalkyl or alkenyl units. Likewise, the use of the term canolyl refers toa mixture of fatty alkyl or alkenyl units derived from canola oil.

In the following table are described non-limiting examples of suitablefabric softener according to the above formula. In this list, the term“oxy” defines a

unit, whereas the term “oxo” defines a —O— unit.

TABLE II

Fabric Softener Actives

N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammoniumchloride;

N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammoniumchloride;

N,N-di(tallowyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

N,N-di(canolyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride

N,N,N-tri(tallowyl-oxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N-methyl ammonium chloride;

N,N,N-tri(canolyl-oxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N-methyl ammonium chloride;

N-(tallowyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N-(tallowyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

N-(canolyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N-(canolyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

1,2-di(tallowyloxy-oxo)-3-N,N,N-trimethylammoniopropane chloride; and

1,2-di(canolyloxy-oxo)-3-N,N, N-trimethylammoniopropane chloride;

and mixtures of the above actives.

Other examples of quaternay ammoniun softening compounds aremethylbis(tallowamidoethyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methylsulfate andmethylbis(hydrogenated tallowamidoethyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)ammoniummethylsulfate; these materials are available from Witco Chemical Companyunder the trade names Varisoft® 222 and Varisoft® 110, respectively.

Particularly preferred is N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N-methyl,N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride, where the tallow chains are atleast partially unsaturated.

The level of unsaturation contained within the tallow, canola, or otherfatty acyl unit chain can be measured by the Iodine Value (IV) of thecorresponding fatty acid, which in the present case should preferably bein the range of from 5 to 100 with two categories of compounds beingdistinguished, having a IV below or above 25.

Indeed, for compounds having the formula:

derived from tallow fatty acids, when the Iodine Value is from 5 to 25,preferably 15 to 20, it has been found that a cisitrans isomer weightratio greater than about 30/70, preferably greater than about 50/50 andmore preferably greater than about 70/30 provides optimalconcentrability.

For compounds of this type made from tallow fatty acids having a IodineValue of above 25, the ratio of cis to trans isomers has been found tobe less critical unless very high concentrations are needed.

Other suitable examples of fabric softener actives are derived fromfatty acyl groups wherein the terms “tallowyl” and canolyl” in the aboveexamples are replaced by the terms “cocoyl, palmyl, lauryl, oleyl,ricinoleyl, stearyl, palmityl,” which correspond to the triglyceridesource from which the fatty acyl units are derived. These alternativefatty acyl sources can comprise either fully saturated, or preferably atleast partly unsaturated chains.

As described herein before, R units are preferably methyl, however,suitable fabric softener actives are described by replacing the term“methyl” in the above examples in Table II with the units “ethyl,ethoxy, propyl, propoxy, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl and t-butyl.

The counter ion, X, in the examples of Table II can be suitably replacedby bromide, methylsulfate, formate, sulfate, nitrate, and mixturesthereof. In fact, the anion, X, is merely present as a counterion of thepositively charged quaternary ammonium compounds. The scope of thisinvention is not considered limited to any particular anion.

Mixtures of actives of formula (1) and (2) may also be prepared.

2)-Still other suitable quaternary ammonium fabric softening compoundsfor use herein are cationic nitrogenous salts having two or more longchain acyclic aliphatic C₈-C₂₂ hydrocarbon groups or one said group andan arylalkyl group which can be used either alone or as part of amixture are selected from the group consisting of:

(i) acyclic quaternary ammonium salts having the formula:

 wherein R⁴ is an acyclic aliphatic C₈-C₂₂ hydrocarbon group, R⁵ is aC₁-C₄ saturated alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, R⁸ is selected from thegroup consisting of R⁴ and R⁵ groups, and A− is an anion defined asabove;

(ii) diamino alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salts having the formula:

 wherein n is equal to 1 to about 5, and R¹, R², R⁵ and A⁻ are asdefined above;

(iii) mixtures thereof.

Examples of the above class cationic nitrogenous salts are thewell-known dialkyldi methylammonium salts such asditallowdimethylammonium chloride, ditallowdimethylammoniummethylsulfate, di(hydrogenatedtallow)dimethylammonium chloride,distearyidimethylammonium chloride, dibehenyidimethylammonium chloride.Di(hydrogenatedtallow)di methylammonium chloride andditallowdimethylammonium chloride are preferred. Examples ofcommercially available dialkyldimethyl ammonium salts usable in thepresent invention are di(hydrogenatedtallow)dimethylammonium chloride(trade name Adogen® 442), ditallowdimethylammonium chloride (trade nameAdogen® 470, Praepagen® 3445), distearyl dimethylammonium chloride(trade name Arosurf® TA-100), all available from Witco Chemical Company.Dibehenyidimethylammonium chloride is sold under the trade name KemamineQ-2802C by Humko Chemical Division of Witco Chemical Corporation.Dimethylstearylbenzyl ammonium chloride is sold under the trade namesVarisoft® SDC by Witco Chemical Company and Ammonyx® 490 by OnyxChemical Company.

B)-Amine Fabric Softening Active Compound

Suitable amine fabric softening compounds for use herein, which may bein amine form or cationic form are selected from:

(i)-Reaction products of higher fatty acids with a polyamine selectedfrom the group consisting of hydroxyalkylalkylenediamines anddialkylenetriamines and mixtures thereof. These reaction products aremixtures of several compounds in view of the multi-functional structureof the polyamines.

The preferred Component (i) is a nitrogenous compound selected from thegroup consisting of the reaction product mixtures or some selectedcomponents of the mixtures.

One preferred component (i) is a compound selected from the groupconsisting of substituted imidazoline compounds having the formula:

wherein R⁷ is an acyclic aliphatic C₁₅-C₂₁ hydrocarbon group and R⁸ is adivalent C₁-C₃ alkylene group.

Component (i) materials are commercially available as: Mazamide® 6, soldby Mazer Chemicals, or Ceranine® HC, sold by Sandoz Colors & Chemicals;stearic hydroxyethyl imidazoline sold under the trade names of Alkazine®ST by Alkaril Chemicals, Inc., or Schercozoline® S by Scher Chemicals,Inc.; N,N″-ditallowalkoyldiethylenetriamine;1-tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazoline (wherein in the precedingstructure R¹ is an aliphatic C₁₅-C₁₇ hydrocarbon group and R⁸ is adivalent ethylene group).

Both N,N″-ditallowalkoyidiethylenetriamine and1-tallow(amidoethyl)-2-tallowimidazoline are reaction products of tallowfatty acids and diethylenetriamine, and are precursors of the cationicfabric softening agent methyl-1-tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazoliniummethylsulfate (see “Cationic Surface Active Agents as Fabric Softeners,”R. R. Egan, Journal of the American Oil Chemicals' Society, January1978, pages 118-121). N,N″-ditallowalkoyidiethylenetriamine and1-tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazoline can be obtained from WitcoChemical Company as experimental chemicals.Methyl-1-tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazolinium methylsulfate is sold byWitco Chemical Company under the tradename Varisoft® 475.

(ii)-softener having the formula:

 wherein each R² is a C₁₋₆ alkylene group, preferably an ethylene group;and G is an oxygen atom or an —NR— group; and each R, R¹, R² and R⁵ havethe definitions given above and A⁻ has the definitions given above forX⁻.

An example of Compound (ii) is 1-oleylamidoethyl-2-oleylimidazoliniumchloride wherein R¹ is an acyclic aliphatic C₁₅-C₁₇ hydrocarbon group,R² is an ethylene group, G is a NH group, R⁵ is a methyl group and A⁻ isa chloride anion.

(iii)-softener having the formula:

 wherein R, R¹, R², and A⁻ are defined as above.

An example of Compound (iii) is the compound having the formula:

wherein R¹ is derived from oleic acid.

Nonionic Softeners

Nonionic softener include compounds such as the fatty acid esters,preferably a partial ester, of mono- or polyhydric alcohols or anhydridethereof containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

It is preferred that the fatty acid ester has at least 1 free (i.e.unesterified) hydroxyl group and at least 1 fatty acyl group.

The mono- or polyhydric alcohol portion of the ester can be representedby methanol, isobutanol, 2-ethyl hexanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycoland polyethylene glycol with a maximum of 5 ethylene glycol units,glycerol, diglycerol, xylitol, sucrose, erythritol, penta-erythritol,sorbitol or sorbitan. Ethylene glycol, glycerol and sorbitan esters areparticularly preferred.

The fatty acid portion of the ester normally comprises a fatty acidhaving from 12 to 22 carbon atoms, typical examples being lauric acid,myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and behenic acid.

One highly preferred group of lubricant for use in the present inventionis the sorbitan esters, which are esterified dihydration products ofsorbitol. Sorbitol, itself prepared by the catalytic hydrogenation ofglucose, can be dehydrated in well known fashion to form mixtures of1,4- and 1,5-sorbitol anhydrides and small amounts of isosorbides. (SeeBrown, U.S. Pat. No. 2,322,821, issued Jun. 29, 1943). The foregoingtype of complex mixtures of anhydrides of sorbitol are collectivelyreferred to herein as “sorbitan”. It will be recognized that this“sorbitan” mixture will also contain some free, uncyclized sorbitol.

The lubricants of the type employed herein can be prepared byesterifying the “sorbitan” mixture with a fatty acyl group in standardfashion, e.g. by reaction with a fatty acid halide or fatty acid. Theesterification reaction can occur at any of the available hydroxylgroups, and various mono-, di-, etc., esters can be prepared. In fact,mixtures of mono-, di-, tri-, etc., esters almost always result fromsuch reactions, and the stoichiometric ratios of the reactants can besimply adjusted to favor the desired reaction product.

For commercial production of the sorbitan ester materials,etherification and esterification are generally accomplished in the sameprocessing step by reacting sorbitol directly with fatty acids. Such amethod of sorbitan ester preparation is described more fully inMacDonald; “Emulsifiers: Processing and Quality Control:”, Journal ofthe American Oil Chemists' Society, Volume 45, October 1968.

The mixtures of hydroxy-substituted sorbitan esters useful hereincontain, inter alia, compounds of the following formulae, as well as thecorresponding hydroxy-substituted di-esters:

wherein the group R is a C₁₀-C₂₆, and higher, fatty alkyl residue.Preferably this fatty alkyl residue contains from 16 to 22 carbon atoms.The fatty alkyl residue can, of course, contain non-interferingsubstituents such as hydroxyl groups. Esterified hydroxyl groups can, ofcourse, be either in terminal or internal positions within the sorbitanmolecule.

The foregoing complex mixtures of esterified dehydration products ofsorbitol (and small amounts of esterified sorbitol) are collectivelyreferred to herein as “sorbitan esters”. Sorbitan mono- and di-esters oflauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic and behenic (docosanoic) acids areparticularly useful herein as softening agents and also can provide ananti-static benefit to fabrics. Mixed sorbitan esters, e.g. mixtures ofthe foregoing esters, and mixtures prepared by esterifying sorbitan withfatty acid mixtures such as the mixed tallow fatty acids, are usefulherein and are economically attractive. Unsaturated C10-C22 sorbitanesters, e.g. sorbitan monooleate, usually are present in such mixturesin low concentration.

The term “alkyl” as employed herein to describe the sorbitan estersencompasses both the saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbyl ester sidechain groups.

Certain derivatives of the sorbitan esters herein, especially the“lower” ethoxylates thereof (i.e. mono-, di- and triesters) wherein oneor more of the unesterified —OH groups contain one to about 20oxyethylene moieties (Tweens®) are also useful in the composition of thepresent invention. Therefore, for purposes of the present invention, theterm “sorbitan ester” includes such derivatives.

Preparation of the sorbitan esters can be achieved by dehydratingsorbitol to form a mixture of anhydrides of the type set forth above,and subsequently esterifying the mixture using, for example, a 1:1stoichiometry for the esterification reaction. The esterified mixturecan then be separated into the various ester components. Separation ofthe individual ester products is, however, difficult and expensive.

Accordingly, it is easier and more economical not to separate thevarious esters, using instead the esterified mixture as the sorbitanester component. Such mixtures of esterified reaction products arecommercially available under various tradenames e.g. Span® Such sorbitanester mixtures can also be prepared by utilizing conventionalinteresterification procedures.

For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferred that asignificant amount of di- and tri-sorbitan esters are present in theester mixture. Ester mixtures having from 20%-50% mono-ester, 25% to 50%diester and 10%-35% of tri- and tetra-esters are preferred. The materialwhich is sold commercially as sorbitan mono-ester (e.g. mono-stearate)does in fact contain significant amounts of di- and trimesters and atypical analysis of sorbitan monostearate indicates that it comprisesca.27% mono-, 32% di- and 30% tri- and tetra esters. Commercial sorbitanmono-stearate therefore is a preferred material.

Mixtures of sorbitan stearate and sorbitan palmitate havingstearate/palmitate weight ratios varying between 10:1 and 1:10, and1,5-sorbitan esters are useful. Both the 1,4- and 1,5-sorbitan estersare useful herein. Other useful alkyl sorbitan esters for use in thesoftening compositions herein include sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitanmonomyristate, sorbitan monopolmitate, sorbitan mono-behenate, sorbitanmonooleate, sorbitan dilaurate, sorbitan dimyristate, sorbitandipalmitate, sorbitan distearate, sorbitan dibehenate, sorbitandioleate, and mixtures thereof, and mixed tallowalkyl sorbitan mono- anddi-esters. Such mixtures are readily prepared by reacting the foregoinghydroxy-substituted sorbitans, particularly the 1,4- and 1,5-sorbitans,with the corresponding acid or acid chloride in a simple esterificationreaction, It is to be recognized, of course, that commercial materialsprepared in this manner will comprise mixtures usually containing minorproportions of uncyclized sorbitol, fatty acids, polymers, isosorbidestructures, and the like.

It is also to be recognized that the sorbitan esters employed herein cancontain up to about 15% by weight of esters of the C₂₀-C₂₆, and higher,fatty acids, as well as minor amounts of C₈, and lower, fatty esters.

Other fatty acid partial esters useful in the present invention arexylitol monopalmitate, pentaerythritol monostearate, sucrosemonostearate, glycerol monostearate and ethylene glycol monostearate. Aswith the sorbitan esters, commercially available mono-esters normallycontain substantial quantities of di- or tri-esters.

The glycol esters are also highly preferred. These are the mono-, di- ortri-esters of glycerol and fatty acids of the class described above.

Commercial glyceryl monostearate, which may contain a proportion of thedi- and tristearates, is especially preferred.

Another class of suitable nonionic lubricants are the cyclomethiconessuch as described in EP636356.

The above-discussed nonionic compounds are correctly termed “lubricatingagents”, because, when the compounds are correctly applied to a fabric,they do impart a soft, lubricious feel to the fabric.

Additional fabric softening agents useful herein are described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,661,269, issued Apr. 28, 1987, in the names of Toan Trinh,Errol H. Wahl, Donald M. Swartley, and Ronald L. Hemingway; U.S. Pat.No. 4,439,335, Burns, issued Mar. 27, 1984; and in U.S. Pat. No.3,861,870, Edwards and Diehl; U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,151, Cambre; U.S. Pat.No. 3,886,075, Bernardino; U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,164, Davis; U.S. Pat. No.4,401,578, Verbruggen; U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,076, Wiersema and Rieke; U.S.Pat. No. 4,237,016, Rudkin, Clint, and Young; and European PatentApplication publication No. 472,178, by Yamamura et al., all of saiddocuments being incorporated herein by reference.

Of course, the term “lubricating agent” can also encompass mixedsoftening active agents.

Preferred lubricating agent among the one disclosed above are thequaternary ammonium compound disclosed under (A) and thecyclomethicones.

The lubricating agent is present in the composition in a sufficientamount to result in an amount of from 0.005% to 5%, preferably from0.01% to 3%, more preferably from 0.01% to 1.50% by weight of active perweight of dry fabrics.

Typically, the lubricating agent is added to the composition of thepresent invention at a level of from about 0.01% to about 10%, by weightof the composition, preferably from about 0.1% to about 3%, morepreferably from about 0.1% to about 1.5%, by weight of the composition.

3-Cyclodextrin

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the composition of the inventioncomprises an optional cyclodextrin. This will impart the compositionwith odour absorbing properties, which is especially useful forapplication on inanimate surfaces to control the malodour, whilst notbeing detrimental to the dewrinkling performance of the composition.

As used herein, the term “cyclodextrin” includes any of the knowncyclodextrins such as unsubstituted cyclodextrins containing from six totwelve glucose units, especially, alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin,gamma-cyclodextrin and/or their derivatives and/or mixtures thereof. Thealpha-cyclodextrin consists of six glucose units, the beta-cyclodextrinconsists of seven glucose units, and the gamma-cyclodextrin consists ofeight glucose units arranged in donut-shaped rings. The specificcoupling and conformation of the glucose units give the cyclodextrins arigid, conical molecular structures with hollow interiors of specificvolumes. The “lining” of each internal cavity is formed by hydrogenatoms and glycosidic bridging oxygen atoms; therefore, this surface isfairly hydrophobic. The unique shape and physical-chemical properties ofthe cavity enable the cyclodextrin molecules to absorb (form inclusioncomplexes with) organic molecules or parts of organic molecules whichcan fit into the cavity. Many odorous molecules can fit into the cavityincluding many malodorous molecules and perfume molecules. Therefore,cyclodextrins, and especially mixtures of cyclodextrins with differentsize cavities, can be used to control odors caused by a broad spectrumof organic odoriferous materials, which may, or may not, containreactive functional groups. The complexation between cyclodextrin andodorous molecules occurs rapidly in the presence of water. However, theextent of the complex formation also depends on the polarity of theabsorbed molecules. In an aqueous solution, strongly hydrophilicmolecules (those which are highly water-soluble) are only partiallyabsorbed, if at all. Therefore, cyclodextrin does not complexeffectively with some very low molecular weight organic amines and acidswhen they are present at low levels on wet fabrics. As the water isbeing removed however, e.g., the fabric is being dried off, some lowmolecular weight organic amines and acids have more affinity and willcomplex with the cyclodextrins more readily.

The cavities within the cyclodextrin in the solution of the presentinvention should remain essentially unfilled (the cyclodextrin remainsuncomplexed) while in solution, in order to allow the cyclodextrin toabsorb various odor molecules when the solution is applied to a surface.Non-derivatised (normal) beta-cyclodextrin can be present at a level upto its solubility limit of about 1.85% (about 1.85 g in 100 grams ofwater) at room temperature. Beta-cyclodextrin is not preferred incompositions which call for a level of cyclodextrin higher than itswater solubility limit. Non-derivatised beta-cyclodextrin is generallynot preferred when the composition contains surfactant since it affectsthe surface activity of most of the preferred surfactants that arecompatible with the derivatized cyclodextrins.

Preferably, the solution of the present invention is clear. The term“clear” as defined herein means transparent or translucent, preferablytransparent, as in “water clear,” when observed through a layer having athickness of less than about 10 cm.

Preferably, the cyclodextrins for use herein are highly water-solublesuch as, alpha-cyclodextrin and/or derivatives thereof,gamma-cyclodextrin and/or derivatives thereof, derivatisedbeta-cyclodextrins, and/or mixtures thereof. The derivatives ofcyclodextrin consist mainly of molecules wherein some of the OH groupsare converted to OR groups. Cyclodextrin derivatives include, e.g.,those with short chain alkyl groups such as methylated cyclodextrins,and ethylated cyclodextrins, wherein R is a methyl or an ethyl group;those with hydroxyalkyl substituted groups, such as hydroxypropylcyclodextrins and/or hydroxyethyl cyclodextrins, wherein R is a—CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₃ or a —CH₂CH₂—OH group; branched cyclodextrins such asmaltose-bonded cyclodextrins; cationic cyclodextrins such as thosecontaining 2-hydroxy-3-(dimethylamino)propyl ether, wherein R isCH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—N(CH₃)₂ which is cationic at low pH; quaternary ammonium,e.g., 2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl ether chloride groups,wherein R is CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—N⁺(CH₃)₃Cl—; anionic cyclodextrins such ascarboxymethyl cyclodextrins, cyclodextrin sulfates, and cyclodextrinsuccinylates; amphoteric cyclodextrins such as carboxymethyl/quaternaryammonium cyclodextrins; cyclodextrins wherein at least one glucopyranoseunit has a 3-6-anhydro-cyclomalto structure, e.g., themono-3-6-anhydrocyclodextrins, as disclosed in “Optimal Performanceswith Minimal Chemical Modification of Cyclodextrins”, F. Diedaini-Pilardand B. Perly, The 7th International Cyclodextrin Symposium Abstracts,April 1994, p. 49, said references being incorporated herein byreference; and mixtures thereof. Other cyclodextrin derivatives aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,426,011, Parmerter et al., issued Feb. 4,1969; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,453,257; 3,453,258; 3,453,259; and 3,453,260, allin the names of Parmerter et al., and all issued Jul. 1, 1969; U.S. Pat,No. 3,459,731, Gramera et al., issued Aug. 5, 1969; U.S. Pat, No.3,553,191, Parmerter et al., issued Jan. 5, 1971; U.S. Pat, No.3,565,887, Parmerter et al., issued Feb. 23, 1971; U.S. Pat, No.4,535,152, Szejtli et al., issued Aug. 13, 1985; U.S. Pat, No.4,616,008, Hirai et al., issued Oct. 7, 1986; U.S. Pat, No. 4,678,598,Ogino et al., issued Jul. 7, 1987; U.S. Pat, No. 4,638,058, Brandt etal., issued Jan. 20, 1987; and U.S. Pat, No. 4,746,734, Tsuchiyama etal., issued May 24, 1988; all of said patents being incorporated hereinby reference.

Highly water-soluble cyclodextrins are those having water solubility ofat least about 10 g in 100 ml of water at room temperature, preferablyat least about 20 g in 100 ml of water, more preferably at least about25 g in 100 ml of water at room temperature. The availability ofsolubilized, uncomplexed cyclodextrins is essential for effective andefficient odor control performance. Solubilized, water-solublecyclodextrin can exhibit more efficient odor control performance thannon-water-soluble cyclodextrin when deposited onto surfaces, especiallyfabric.

Examples of preferred water-soluble cyclodextrin derivatives suitablefor use herein are hydroxypropyl alpha-cyclodextrin, methylatedalpha-cyclodextrin, methylated beta-cyclodextrin, hydroxyethylbeta-cyclodextrin, and hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin. Hydroxyalkylcyclodextrin derivatives preferably have a degree of substitution offrom about 1 to about 14, more preferably from about 1.5 to about 7,wherein the total number of OR groups per cyclodextrin is defined as thedegree of substitution. Methylated cyclodextrin derivatives typicallyhave a degree of substitution of from about 1 to about 18, preferablyfrom about 3 to about 16. A known methylated beta-cyclodextrin isheptakis-2,6-di-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin, commonly known as DIMEB, inwhich each glucose unit has about 2 methyl groups with a degree ofsubstitution of about 14. A preferred, more commercially available,methylated beta-cyclodextrin is a randomly methylated beta-cyclodextrin,commonly known as RAMEB, having different degrees of substitution,normally of about 12.6. RAMEB is more preferred than DIMEB, since DIMEBaffects the surface activity of the preferred surfactants more thanRAMEB. The preferred cyclodextrins are available, e.g., from CerestarUSA, Inc. and Wacker Chemicals (USA), Inc.

It is also preferable to use a mixture of cyclodextrins. Such mixturesabsorb odors more broadly by complexing with a wider range ofodoriferous molecules having a wider range of molecular sizes.Preferably at least a portion of the cyclodextrins is alpha-cyclodextrinand its derivatives thereof, gamma-cyclodextrin and its derivativesthereof, and/or derivatised beta-cyclodextrin, more preferably a mixtureof alpha-cyclodextrin, or an alpha-cyclodextrin derivative, andderivatised beta-cyclodextrin, even more preferably a mixture ofderivatised alpha-cyclodextrin and derivatised beta-cyclodextrin, mostpreferably a mixture of hydroxypropyl alpha-cyclodextrin andhydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin, and/or a mixture of methylatedalpha-cyclodextrin and methylated beta-cyclodextrin.

It is further believed that a small amount of low molecular weightpolyol as defined herein before into the composition comprising theuncomplexed cyclodextrin enhances the formation of the cyclodextrininclusion complexes as the fabric dries. Further, the incorporation ofsuch polyol provides an improved odor control performance of thecomposition of the present invention comprising said cyclodextrin.

It is believed that the polyols' ability to remain on the fabric for alonger period of time than water, as the fabric dries allows it to formternary complexes with the cyclodextrin and some malodorous molecules.The addition of the glycols is believed to fill up void space in thecyclodextrin cavity that is unable to be filled by some malodormolecules of relatively smaller sizes.

Cyclodextrin compositions prepared by processes that result in a levelof such polyols are highly desirable, since they can be used withoutremoval of the polyols.

Diethylene glycol is particularly useful in the presence of theuncomplexd cyclodextrin. Indeed, it has been found to enhance theremoval of small malodour molecules.

The preferred weight ratio of low molecular weight cyclodextrin topolyol is from about 50:1 to about 1:11, more preferably from about 20:1to about 1:1, even more preferably from about 10:1 to about 1:1, andmost preferably from about 5:1 to about 1:1.

For controlling odor on fabrics, the composition is preferably used as aspray. It is preferable that the usage compositions of the presentinvention contain low levels of cyclodextrin so that a visible staindoes not appear on the fabric at normal usage levels. Preferably, thesolution used to treat the surface under usage conditions is virtuallynot discernible when dry. Typical levels of cyclodextrin in usagecompositions for usage conditions are from about 0.01% to about 5%,preferably from about 0.1% to about 4%, more preferably from about 0.2%to about 2% by weight of the composition. Compositions with higherconcentrations can leave unacceptable visible stains on fabrics as thesolution evaporates off of the fabric. This is especially a problem onthin, colored, synthetic fabrics. In order to avoid or minimize theoccurrence of fabric staining, it is preferable that the fabric betreated at a level of less than about 5 mg of cyclodextrin per gram offabric, more preferably less than about 2 mg of cyclodextrin per gram offabric. The presence of the surfactant can improve appearance byminimizing localized spotting.

Concentrated compositions can also be used in order to deliver a lessexpensive product. When a concentrated product is used, i.e., when thelevel of cyclodextrin used is from about 3% to about 20%, morepreferably from about 5% to about 10%, by weight of the concentratedcomposition, it is preferable to dilute the concentrated compositionbefore treating fabrics in order to avoid staining. Preferably theconcentrated cyclodextrin composition is diluted with about 50% to about6000%, more preferably with about 75% to about 2000%, most preferablywith about 100% to about 1000% by weight of the concentrated compositionof water. The resulting diluted compositions have usage concentrationsof cyclodextrin as discussed hereinbefore, e.g., of from about 0.1% toabout 5%, by weight of the diluted composition.

4-Antimicrobial Active

The composition may suitably use an optional solubilized, water-solubleantimicrobial active, useful in providing protection against organismsthat become attached to the treated material. The free, uncomplexedantimicrobial, e.g., antibacterial, active provides an optimumantibacterial performance.

Sanitization of fabrics can be achieved by the compositions of thepresent invention containing, antimicrobial materials, e.g.,antibacterial halogenated compounds, quaternary compounds, and phenoliccompounds.

Biguanides. Some of the more robust antimicrobial halogenated compoundswhich can function as disinfectants/sanitizers as well as finish productpreservatives (vide infra), and are useful in the compositions of thepresent invention include 1,1′-hexamethylenebis(5-(p-chlorophenyl)biguanide), commonly known as chlorhexidine, andits salts, e.g., with hydrochloric, acetic and gluconic acids. Thedigluconate salt is highly water-soluble, about 70% in water, and thediacetate salt has a solubility of about 1.8% in water. Whenchlorhexidine is used as a sanitizer in the present invention it istypically present at a level of from about 0.001% to about 0.4%,preferably from about 0.002% to about 0.3%, and more preferably fromabout 0.01% to about 0.1%, by weight of the usage composition. In somecases, a level of from about 1% to about 2% may be needed for virucidalactivity.

Other useful biguanide compounds include Cosmoci® CQ®, Vantocil® IB,including poly (hexamethylene biguanide) hydrochloride. Other usefulcationic antimicrobial agents include the bis-biguanide alkanes. Usablewater soluble salts of the above are chlorides, bromides, sulfates,alkyl sulfonates such as methyl sulfonate and ethyl sulfonate,phenylsulfonates such as p-methylphenyl sulfonates, nitrates, acetates,gluconates, and the like.

Examples of suitable bis biguanide compounds are chlorhexidine;1,6-bis-(2-ethylhexylbiguanidohexane)dihydrochloride;1,6-di-(N₁,N₁′-phenyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′)-hexane tetrahydrochloride;1,6-di-(N₁,N₁′-phenyl-N₁,N₁′-methyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′)-hexanedihydrochloride; 1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-o-chlorophenyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′)-hexanedihydrochloride; 1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-2,6-dichlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′)hexanedihydrochloride; 1,6-di[N₁,N₁′-.beta.-(p-methoxyphenyl)diguanido-N₅,N₅′]-hexane dihydrochloride;1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-.alpha.-methyl-.beta.-phenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′)-hexanedihydrochloride; 1,6-di(N₁,N1′-p-nitrophenyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′)hexanedihydrochloride;.omega.:.omega.′-di-(N₁,N₁′-phenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′)-di-n-propyletherdihydrochloride;.omega:omega′-di(N₁,N₁′-p-chlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′)-di-n-propylethertetrahydrochloride;1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-2,4-dichlorophenyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′)hexanetetrahydrochloride; 1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-p-methylphenyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′) hexanedihydrochloride; 1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-2,4,5-trichlorophenyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′)hexane tetrahydrochloride; 1,6-di[N₁,N₁′-.alpha.-(p-chlorophenyl)ethyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′] hexanedihydrochloride;.omega.:.omega.′di(N₁,N₁′-p-chlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′)m-xylene dihydrochloride; 1,12-di(N₁,N₁′-p-chlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′)dodecane dihydrochloride;1,10-di(N₁,N₁′-phenyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′)-decane tetrahydrochloride;1,12-di(N₁,N₁′-phenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′) dodecane tetrahydrochloride;1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-o-chlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′) hexane dihydrochloride;1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-p-chlorophenyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′)-hexane tetrahydrochloride;ethylene bis (1-tolyl biguanide); ethylene bis (p-tolyl biguanide);ethylene bis(3,5-dimethylphenyl biguanide); ethylenebis(p-tert-amylphenyl biguanide); ethylene bis(nonylphenyl biguanide);ethylene bis (phenyl biguanide); ethylene bis (N-butylphenyl biguanide);ethylene bis (2,5-diethoxyphenyl biguanide); ethylenebis(2,4-dimethylphenyl biguanide); ethylene bis(o-diphenylbiguanide);ethylene bis(mixed amyl naphthyl biguanide); N-butyl ethylenebis(phenylbiguanide); trimethylene bis(o-tolyl biguanide); N-butyltrimethylene bis(phenyl biguanide); and the correspondingpharmaceutically acceptable salts of all of the above such as theacetates; gluconates; hydrochlorides; hydrobromides; citrates;bisulfites; fluorides; polymaleates; N-coconutalkylsarcosinates;phosphites; hypophosphites; perfluorooctanoates; silicates; sorbates;salicylates; maleates; tartrates; fumarates;ethylenediaminetetraacetates; iminodiacetates; cinnamates; thiocyanates;arginates; pyromellitates; tetracarboxybutyrates; benzoates; glutarates;monofluorophosphates; and perfluoropropionates, and mixtures thereof.Preferred antimicrobials from this group are1,6-di-(N₁,N₁′-phenyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′)-hexane tetrahydrochloride;1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-o-chlorophenyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′)-hexane dihydrochloride;1,6-di(N1,N1′-2,6-dichlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′)hexane dihydrochloride;1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-2,4-dichlorophenyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′)hexane tetrahydrochloride; 1,6-di[N₁,N₁′-.alpha.-(p-chlorophenyl)ethyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′] hexane dihydrochloride;.omega.:.omega.′di(N₁,N¹′-p-chlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′)m-xylenedihydrochloride; 1,12-di(N₁,N₁′-p-chlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′) dodecanedihydrochloride; 1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-o-chlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′) hexanedihydro chloride; 1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-p-chlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′)-hexanetetrahydrochloride; and mixtures thereof; more preferably,1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-o-chlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′)-hexane dihydrochloride;1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-2,6-dichlorophenyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′) hexanedihydrochloride; 1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-2,4-dichlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′)hexanetetrahydrochloride; 1,6-di[N₁,N₁′-.alpha.-(p-chlorophenyl)ethyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′] hexane dihydrochloride;.omega.:.omega.′di(N₁,N₁′-p-chlorophenyidiguanido-N₅,N₅′)m-xylenedihydrochloride; 1,12-di(N₁,N₁′-p-chlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′) dodecanedihydrochloride; 1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-o-chlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′) hexanedihydrochloride; 1,6-di(N₁,N₁′-p-chlorophenyldiguanido-N₅,N₅′)-hexanetetrahydro chloride; and mixtures thereof. As stated hereinbefore, thebis biguanide of choice is chlorhexidine its salts, e.g., digluconate,dihydrochloride, diacetate, and mixtures thereof.

Quaternary Compounds. A wide range of quaternary compounds can also beused as antimicrobial actives, in conjunction with the preferredsurfactants, for compositions of the present invention that do notcontain cyclodextrin. Non-limiting examples of useful quaternarycompounds include: (1) benzalkonium chlorides and/or substitutedbenzalkonium chlorides such as commercially available Barquat®(available from Lonza), Maquat®) (available from Mason), Variquat®((available from Witco/Sherex), and Hyamine® (available from Lonza); (2)dialkyl quaternary such as Bardac® products of Lonza, (3)N-(3-chloroallyl) hexaminium chlorides such as Dowicide® and Dowicil®available from Dow; (4) benzethonium chloride such as Hyamine® 1622 fromRohm & Haas; (5) methylbenzethonium chloride represented by Hyamine® 10Xsupplied by Rohm & Haas, (6) cetylpyridinium chloride such as Cepacolchloride available from of Merrell Labs. Typical concentrations forbiocidal effectiveness of these quaternary compounds range from about0.001% to about 0.8%, preferably from about 0.005% to about 0.3%, morepreferably from about 0.01% to 0.2%, by weight of the usage composition.The corresponding concentrations for the concentrated compositions arefrom about 0.003% to about 2%, preferably from about 0.006% to about1.2%, and more preferably from about 0.1% to about 0.8% by weight of theconcentrated compositions.

Other preservatives which are conventional in the art, such as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,670 incorporated herein by reference, may also beused herein.

The surfactants, when added to the antimicrobials tend to provideimproved antimicrobial action. This is especially true for the siloxanesurfactants, and especially when the siloxane surfactants are combinedwith the chlorhexidine antimicrobial actives.

5-Perfume

The composition of the present invention can also optionally provide a“scent signal” in the form of a pleasant odor which signals the removalof malodor from fabrics. The scent signal is designed to provide afleeting perfume scent, and is not designed to be overwhelming or to beused as an odor masking ingredient. When perfume is added as a scentsignal, it is added only at very low levels, e.g., from about 0% toabout 0.5%, preferably from about 0.003% to about 0.3%, more preferablyfrom about 0.005% to about 0.2%, by weight of the usage composition.

Perfume can also be added as a more intense odor in product and onsurfaces. When stronger levels of perfume are preferred, relativelyhigher levels of perfume can be added. Any type of perfume can beincorporated into the composition of the present invention.

Preferably the perfume is hydrophilic and is composed predominantly ofingredients selected from two groups of ingredients, namely, (a)hydrophilic ingredients having a ClogP of less than about 3.5, morepreferably less than about 3.0, and (b) ingredients having significantlow detection threshold, and mixtures thereof. Typically, at least about50%, preferably at least about 60%, more preferably at least about 70%,and most preferably at least about 80% by weight of the perfume iscomposed of perfume ingredients of the above groups (a) and (b).

(a). Hydrophilic Perfume Ingredients

The hydrophilic perfume ingredients are more soluble in water, have lessof a tendency to complex with the cyclodextrins, and are more availablein the odor absorbing composition than the ingredients of conventionalperfumes. The degree of hydrophobicity of a perfume ingredient can becorrelated with its octanoliwater partition coefficient P. Theoctanol/water partition coefficient of a perfume ingredient is the ratiobetween its equilibrium concentration in octanol and in water. A perfumeingredient with a greater partition coefficient P is considered to bemore hydrophobic. Conversely, a perfume ingredient with a smallerpartition coefficient P is considered to be more hydrophilic. Since thepartition coefficients of the perfume ingredients normally have highvalues, they are more conveniently given in the form of their logarithmto the base 10, logP. Thus the preferred perfume hydrophilic perfumeingredients of this invention have logP of about 3.5 or smaller,preferably of about 3.0 or smaller.

The logP of many perfume ingredients have been reported; for example,the Pomona92 database, available from Daylight Chemical InformationSystems, Inc. (Daylight CIS), Irvine, Calif., contains many, along withcitations to the original literature. However, the logP values are mostconveniently calculated by the “CLOGP” program, also available fromDaylight CIS. This program also lists experimental logP values when theyare available in the Pomona92 database. The “calculated logP” (ClogP) isdetermined by the fragment approach of Hansch and Leo (cf., A. Leo, inComprehensive Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 4, C. Hansch, P. G. Sammens, J.B. Taylor and C. A. Ramsden, Eds., p. 295, Pergamon Press, 1990,incorporated herein by reference). The fragment approach is based on thechemical structure of each perfume ingredient, and takes into accountthe numbers and types of atoms, the atom connectivity, and chemicalbonding. The ClogP values, which are the most reliable and widely usedestimates for this physicochemical property, are used instead of theexperimental logP values in the selection of perfume ingredients whichare useful in the present invention.

Non-limiting examples of the more preferred hydrophilic perfumeingredients are allyl amyl glycolate, allyl caproate, amyl acetate, amylpropionate, anisic aldehyde, anisyl acetate, anisole, benzaldehyde,benzyl acetate, benzyl acetone, benzyl alcohol, benzyl formate, benzyliso valerate, benzyl propionate, beta gamma hexenol, calone, camphorgum, laevo-carveol, d-carvone, laevo-carvone, cinnamic alcohol, cinnamylacetate, cinnamic alcohol, cinnamyl formate, cinnamyl propionate,cis-jasmone, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, coumarin, cuminic alcohol, cuminicaldehyde, Cyclal C, cyclogalbanate, dihydroeuginol, dihydroisojasmonate, dimethyl benzyl carbinol, dimethyl benzyl carbinylacetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl aceto acetate, ethyl amyl ketone, ethylanthranilate, ethyl benzoate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl cinnamate, ethylhexyl ketone, ethyl maltol, ethyl-2-methyl butyrate, ethyl methylphenylglycidate, ethyl phenyl acetate, ethyl salicylate, ethyl vanillin,eucalyptol, eugenol, eugenyl acetate, eugenyl formate, eugenyl methylether, fenchyl alcohol, flor acetate (tricyclo decenyl acetate),fructone, frutene (tricyclo decenyl propionate), geraniol, geranyloxyacetaldehyde, heliotropin, hexenol, hexenyl acetate, hexyl acetate,hexyl formate, hinokitiol, hydratropic alcohol, hydroxycitronellal,hydroxycitronellal diethyl acetal, hydroxycitronellol, indole, isoamylalcohol, iso cyclo citral, isoeugenol, isoeugenyl acetate, isomenthone,isopulegyl acetate, isoquinoline, keone, ligustral, linalool, linalooloxide, linalyl formate, lyral, menthone, methyl acetophenone, methylamyl ketone, methyl anthranilate, methyl benzoate, methyl benzylacetate, methyl cinnamate, methyl dihydrojasmonate, methyl eugenol,methyl heptenone, methyl heptine carbonate, methyl heptyl ketone, methylhexyl ketone, methyl isobutenyl tetrahydropyran, methyl-N-methylanthranilate, methyl beta naphthyl ketone, methyl phenyl carbinylacetate, methyl salicylate, nerol, nonalactone, octalactone, octylalcohol (octanol-2), para-anisic aldehyde, para-cresol, para-cresylmethyl ether, para hydroxy phenyl butanone, para-methoxy acetophenone,para-methyl acetophenone, phenoxy ethanol, phenoxyethyl propionate,phenyl acetaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde diethyl ether, phenylethyloxyacetaldehyde, phenyl ethyl acetate, phenyl ethyl alcohol, phenylethyl dimethyl carbinol, prenyl acetate, propyl butyrate, pulegone, roseoxide, safrole, terpineol, vanillin, viridine, and mixtures thereof.

Nonlimiting examples of other preferred hydrophilic perfume ingredientswhich can be used in perfume compositions of this invention are allylheptoate, amyl benzoate, anethole, benzophenone, carvacrol, citral,citronellol, citronellyl nitrile, cyclohexyl ethyl acetate, cymal,4-decenal, dihydro isojasmonate, dihydro myrcenol, ethyl methyl phenylglycidate, fenchyl acetate, florhydral, gamma-nonalactone, geranylformate, geranyl nitrile, hexenyl isobutyrate, alpha-ionone, isobornylacetate, isobutyl benzoate, isononyl alcohol, isomenthol, para-isopropylphenylacetaldehyde, isopulegol, linalyl acetate, 2-methoxy naphthalene,menthyl acetate, methyl chavicol, musk ketone, beta naphthol methylether, neral, nonyl aldehyde, phenyl heptanol, phenyl hexanol, terpinylacetate, Veratrol, yara-yara, and mixtures thereof.

The preferred perfume compositions used in the present invention containat least 4 different hydrophilic perfume ingredients, preferably atleast 5 different hydrophilic perfume ingredients, more preferably atleast 6 different hydrophilic perfume ingredients, and even morepreferably at least 7 different hydrophilic perfume ingredients. Mostcommon perfume ingredients which are derived from natural sources arecomposed of a multitude of components. When each such material is usedin the formulation of the preferred perfume compositions of the presentinvention, it is counted as one single ingredient, for the purpose ofdefining the invention.

(b). Low Odor Detection Threshold Perfume Ingredient

The odor detection threshold of an odorous material is the lowest vaporconcentration of that material which can be olfactorily detected. Theodor detection threshold and some odor detection threshold values arediscussed in, e.g., “Standardized Human Olfactory Thresholds”, M. Devoset al, IRL Press at Oxford University Press, 1990, and “Compilation ofOdor and Taste Threshold Values Data”, F. A. Fazzalari, editor, ASTMData Series DS 48A, American Society for Testing and Materials, 1978,both of said publications being incorporated by reference. The use ofsmall amounts of perfume ingredients that have low odor detectionthreshold values can improve perfume odor character, even though theyare not as hydrophilic as perfume ingredients of group (a) which aregiven hereinabove. Perfume ingredients that do not belong to group (a)above, but have a significantly low detection threshold, useful in thecomposition of the present invention, are selected from the groupconsisting of ambrox, bacdanol, benzyl salicylate, butyl anthranilate,cetalox, damascenone, alpha-damascone, gamma-dodecalactone, ebanol,herbavert, cis-3-hexenyl salicylate, alpha-ionone, beta-ionone,alpha-isomethylionone, lilial, methyl nonyl ketone, gamma-undecalactone,undecylenic aldehyde, and mixtures thereof. These materials arepreferably present at low levels in addition to the hydrophilicingredients of group (a), typically less than about 20%, preferably lessthan about 15%, more preferably less than about 10%, by weight of thetotal perfume compositions of the present invention. However, only lowlevels are required to provide an effect.

There are also hydrophilic ingredients of group (a) that have asignificantly low detection threshold, and are especially useful in thecomposition of the present invention. Examples of these ingredients areallyl amyl glycolate, anethole, benzyl acetone, calone, cinnamicalcohol, coumarin, cyclogalbanate, Cyclal C, cymal, 4-decenal, dihydroisojasmonate, ethyl anthranilate, ethyl-2-methyl butyrate, ethylmethylphenyl glycidate, ethyl vanillin, eugenol, flor acetate,florhydral, fructone, frutene, heliotropin, keone, indole, iso cyclocitral, isoeugenol, lyral, methyl heptine carbonate, linalool, methylanthranilate, methyl dihydrojasmonate, methyl isobutenyltetrahydropyran, methyl beta naphthyl ketone, beta naphthol methylether, nerol, para-anisic aldehyde, para hydroxy phenyl butanone, phenylacetaldehyde, vanillin, and mixtures thereof. Use of low odor detectionthreshold perfume ingredients minimizes the level of organic materialthat is released into the atmosphere.

6-Soil Release Agent

Soil Release agents are desirably used in compositions of the instantinvention. Any polymeric soil release agent known to those skilled inthe art can optionally be employed in the compositions of thisinvention. Polymeric soil release agents are characterized by havingboth hydrophilic segments, to hydrophilize the surface of hydrophobicfibers, such as polyester and nylon, and hydrophobic segments, todeposit upon hydrophobic fibers and remain adhered thereto throughcompletion of washing and rinsing cycles and, thus, serve as an anchorfor the hydrophilic segments. This can enable stains occurringsubsequent to treatment with the soil release agent to be more easilycleaned in later washing procedures.

If utilized, soil release agents will generally comprise from about0.01% to about 10.0%, by weight, of the detergent compositions herein,typically from about 0.1% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.2% toabout 3.0%.

The following, all included herein by reference, describe soil releasepolymers suitable for use in the present invention. U.S. Pat. No.3,959,230 Hays, issued May 25, 1976; U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,929 Basadur,issued Jul. 8, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,093, Nicol, et al., issued Dec.28, 1976; U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,857 Gosselink, issued Oct. 27, 1987; U.S.Pat. No. 4,968,451, Scheibel et al., issued November 6; U.S. Pat. No.4,702,857, Gosselink, issued Oct. 27, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,730,Gosselink et al., issued Dec. 8, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,580,Gosselink, issued Jan. 26, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,896, Maldonado etal., issued Oct. 31, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,447, Gosselink et al.,issued Sep. 11, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,807 Gosselink et al., issuedMay 16, 1995; European Patent Application 0 219 048, published Apr. 22,1987 by Kud, et al.

Further suitable soil release agents are described in U.S. Pat. No.4,201,824, Violland et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,918 Lagasse et al.; U.S.Pat. No. 4,525,524 Tung et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,681, Ruppert et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,918; U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,989; U.S. Pat. No.4,525,524; EP 279,134 A, 1988, to Rhone-Poulenc Chemie; EP 457,205 A toBASF (1991); and DE 2,335,044 to Unilever N. V., 1974 all incorporatedherein by reference. Commercially available soil release agents includethe METOLOSE SM100, METOLOSE SM200 manufactured by Shin-etsu KagakuKogyo K. K., SOKALAN type of material, e.g., SOKALAN HP-22, availablefrom BASF (Germany), ZELCON 5126 (from Dupont) and MILEASE T (from ICI).

7-Pro-perfume

The composition may also comprises ingredient useful for providing along and lasting release of a perfume material. Typical disclosure canbe found in WO95/04809, WO96/02625, PCT US97/14610 filed Aug. 19, 1997and claiming priority of Aug. 19, 1996, and EP-A-0,752,465.

Typical level of incorporation of the perfume are from 0.01% to 15% byweight of the composition.

8-pH

An optional requirement of the compositions according to the presentinvention is that the pH is greater than 3, preferably between 3 and 12.This range is preferred for fabric safety. When a lubricant of thediester quaternary ammonium type is used, it is most preferred to havethe conventional pH range, as measured in the neat compositions at 20°C., of from 2.0 to 5, preferably in the range of 2.5 to 4.5, preferablyabout 2.5 to about 3.5. The pH of these compositions herein can beregulated by the addition of a Bronsted acid.

9-Other Optional Ingredients

The present invention can include optional components conventionallyused in textile treatment compositions, for example, colorants,preservatives, bactericides, optical brighteners, opacifiers,anti-shrinkage agents, germicides, fungicides, anti-oxidants, dye fixingagent, enzymes, chelating agents, metallic salts to absorb amine andsulfur-containing compounds and selected from the group consisting ofcopper salts, zinc salts, and mixtures thereof, color protectors likepolyethylene imine and its alkoxylated derivatives, and the like. Thecompositions are preferably free of any material that would soil orstain fabric, and are also substantially free of starch. Typically,there should be less than about 0.5%, by weight of the composition,preferably less than about 0.3%, more preferably less than about 0.1%,by weight of the composition, of starch and/or modified starch.

D. Form of the Composition and Compounds

The composition or its individual components can be provided in anysuitable form such as spray, foam, gel or any other suitable form forliquid aqueous compositions, preferably the composition is in the formof a spray. Preferably, when sprayed, the liquid composition which isapplied on the fabric will have particle sizes in the range of 8 to 100μm, preferably from 10-60 μm (more preferably from 20-60 μm) forautomatic sprayer, and preferably from 50-100 μm for manually activatedsprayer. Accordingly, there is provided a packaged compositioncomprising the composition or compounds, in a spray dispenser.

E. Packaging

In another aspect of the invention, a packaged composition is providedthat comprises a packaged composition comprising a wrinkle reducingcomposition comprising a wrinkle reducing active which contains anonionic polyhydric alcohol humectant and a salt made of alkaline and/orearth alkaline metal, a liquid carrier, and a spray dispensing device.

The dilute compositions, i.e., compositions containing from about 0.1%to about 5%, by weight of the composition, of wrinkle reducing active,of the present invention are preferably sprayed onto fabrics andtherefore are typically packaged in a spray dispenser. The spraydispenser can be any of the manually activated means for producing aspray of liquid droplets as is known in the art, e.g. trigger-type,pump-type, electrical spray, hydraulic nozzle, sonic nebulizer, highpressure fog nozzle, non-aerosol self-pressurized, and aerosol-typespray means. Automatic activated means can also be used herein. Thesetype of automatic means are similar to manually activated means with theexception that the propellant is replaced by a compressor. It ispreferred that at least about 70%, more preferably, at least about 80%,most preferably at least about 90% of the droplets have a particle sizeof smaller than about 200 microns.

The spray dispenser can be an aerosol dispenser. Said aerosol dispensercomprises a container which can be constructed of any of theconventional materials employed in fabricating aerosol containers. Thedispenser must be capable of withstanding internal pressure in the rangeof from about 5 to about 100 p.s.i.g., more preferably from about 10 toabout 60 p.s.i.g. The one important requirement concerning the dispenseris that it be provided with a valve member which will permit the wrinklereducing composition contained in the dispenser to be dispensed in theform of a spray of very fine, or finely divided, particles or droplets.The aerosol dispenser utilizes a pressurized sealed container from whichthe wrinkle reducing composition is dispensed through a specialactuator/valve assembly under pressure. The aerosol dispenser ispressurized by incorporating therein a gaseous component generally knownas a propellant. Common aerosol propellants, e.g., gaseous hydrocarbonssuch as isobutane, and mixed halogenated hydrocarbons, are notpreferred. Halogenated hydrocarbon propellants such as chlorofluorohydrocarbons have been alleged to contribute to environmental problems.Preferred propellants are compressed air, nitrogen, inert gases, carbondioxide, etc. A more complete description of commercially availableaerosol-spray dispensers appears in U.S. Pat. No. 3,436,772, Stebbins,issued Apr. 8, 1969; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,325, Kaufman et al., issuedAug. 17, 1971; both of said references are incorporated herein byreference.

Preferably the spray dispenser can be a self-pressurized non-aerosolcontainer having a convoluted liner and an elastomeric sleeve. Saidself-pressurized dispenser comprises a liner/sleeve assembly containinga thin, flexible radially expandable convoluted plastic liner of fromabout 0.010 to about 0.020 inch thick, inside an essentially cylindricalelastomeric sleeve. The liner/sleeve is capable of holding a substantialquantity of odor-absorbing fluid product and of causing said product tobe dispensed. A more complete description of self-pressurized spraydispensers can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,971, Winer, issued May12, 1992, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,126, Winer, issued Aug. 3, 1993; bothof said references are herein incorporated by reference. Another type ofaerosol spray dispenser is one wherein a barrier separates the wrinklereducing composition from the propellant (preferably compressed air ornitrogen), as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,110, issued Apr. 7,1981, incorporated herein by reference. Such a dispenser is availablefrom EP Spray Systems, East Hanover, N.J.

More preferably, the spray dispenser is a non-aerosol, manuallyactivated, pump-spray dispenser. Said pump-spray dispenser comprises acontainer and a pump mechanism which securely screws or snaps onto thecontainer. The container comprises a vessel for containing the wrinklereducing composition to be dispensed.

The pump mechanism comprises a pump chamber of substantially fixedvolume, having an opening at the inner end thereof. Within the pumpchamber is located a pump stem having a piston on the end thereofdisposed for reciprocal motion in the pump chamber. The pump stem has apassageway there through with a dispensing outlet at the outer end ofthe passageway and an axial inlet port located inwardly thereof.

The container and the pump mechanism can be constructed of anyconventional material employed in fabricating pump-spray dispensers,including, but not limited to: polyethylene; polypropylene;polyethyleneterephthalate; blends of polyethylene, vinyl acetate, andrubber elastomer. Other materials can include stainless steel. A morecomplete disclosure of commercially available dispensing devices appearsin: U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,279, Schultz, issued Jan. 23, 1990; U.S. Pat.No. 4,735,347, Schultz et al., issued Apr. 5, 1988; and U.S. Pat. No.4,274,560, Carter, issued Jun. 23, 1981; all of said references areherein incorporated by reference.

Most preferably, the spray dispenser is a manually activatedtrigger-spray dispenser. Said trigger-spray dispenser comprises acontainer and a trigger both of which can be constructed of any of theconventional material employed in fabricating trigger-spray dispensers,including, but not limited to: polyethylene; polypropylene; polyacetal;polycarbonate; polyethyleneterephthalate; polyvinyl chloride;polystyrene; blends of polyethylene, vinyl acetate, and rubberelastomer. Other materials can include stainless steel and glass. Thetrigger-spray dispenser does not incorporate a propellant gas. Thetrigger-spray dispenser herein is typically one which acts upon adiscrete amount of the wrinkle reducing composition itself, typically bymeans of a piston or a collapsing bellows that displaces the compositionthrough a nozzle to create a spray of thin liquid. Said trigger-spraydispenser typically comprises a pump chamber having either a piston orbellows which is movable through a limited stroke response to thetrigger for varying the volume of said pump chamber. This pump chamberor bellows chamber collects and holds the product for dispensing. Thetrigger spray dispenser typically has an outlet check valve for blockingcommunication and flow of fluid through the nozzle and is responsive tothe pressure inside the chamber. For the piston type trigger sprayers,as the trigger is compressed, it acts on the fluid in the chamber andthe spring, increasing the pressure on the fluid. For the bellows spraydispenser, as the bellows is compressed, the pressure increases on thefluid. The increase in fluid pressure in either trigger spray dispenseracts to open the top outlet check valve. The top valve allows theproduct to be forced through the swirl chamber and out the nozzle toform a discharge pattern. An adjustable nozzle cap can be used to varythe pattern of the fluid dispensed.

For the piston spray dispenser, as the trigger is released, the springacts on the piston to return it to its original position. For thebellows spray dispenser, the bellows acts as the spring to return to itsoriginal position. This action causes a vacuum in the chamber. Theresponding fluid acts to close the outlet valve while opening the inletvalve drawing product up to the chamber from the reservoir.

A more complete disclosure of commercially available dispensing devicesappears in U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,223, Nozawa, issued Apr. 4, 1978; U.S.Pat. No. 4,161, 288, McKinney, issued Jul. 17, 1985; U.S. Pat. No.4,434,917, Saito et al., issued Mar. 6, 1984; and U.S. Pat. No.4,819,835, Tasaki, issued Apr. 11, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,867,Peterson, issued Apr. 19, 1994; all of said references are incorporatedherein by reference.

A broad array of trigger sprayers or finger pump sprayers are suitablefor use with the compositions of this invention. These are readilyavailable from suppliers such as Calmar, Inc., City of Industry, Calif.;CSI (Continental Sprayers, Inc.), St. Peters, Mo.; Berry Plastics Corp.,Evansville, Ind.—a distributor of Guala® sprayers; or SeaquestDispensing, Cary, Ill.

The preferred trigger sprayers are the blue inserted Guala® sprayer,available from Berry Plastics Corp., the Calmar TS800-1A® sprayers,available from Calmar Inc., or the CSI T7500® available from ContinentalSprayers, Inc., because of the fine uniform spray characteristics, sprayvolume, and pattern size. Any suitable bottle or container can be usedwith the trigger sprayer, the preferred bottle is a 17 fl-oz. bottle(about 500 ml) of good ergonomics similar in shape to the Cinch® bottle.It can be made of any materials such as high density polyethylene,polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethyleneterephthalate, glass, or any other material that forms bottles.Preferably, it is made of high density polyethylene or polyethyleneterephthalate.

For smaller four fl-oz. size (about 118 ml), a finger pump can be usedwith canister or cylindrical bottle. The preferred pump for thisapplication is the cylindrical Euromist II® from Seaquest Dispensing.

Regardless of the particular commercial spray nozzle used, it ispreferable for the atomization spray nozzle to have an orifice diameterof from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm, and most preferably from about 0.15mm to about 1 mm. The spraying step is conducted for a period of time offrom about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes, more preferably from about 5minutes to about 20 minutes. Spraying times will vary depending upon thevarious operating parameters selected as described herein.

For use herein, it is preferred that said spray dispenser comprises atrigger spray device. More preferably, the spray dispenser should becapable of providing droplets with a weight average diameter of from 8to 100 μm, preferably from 10-60 μm (more preferably from 20-60 μm) forautomatic sprayer, and preferably from 50-100 μm for manually activatedsprayer.

F. Method of use

An effective amount of the composition of the present invention ispreferably sprayed onto fabrics, particularly clothing. When thecomposition is sprayed onto fabric an effective amount should bedeposited onto the fabric without causing saturation of the fabric,typically from 3% to 85%, preferably from 5% to 50%, more preferablyfrom 5% to 25%, by weight of the fabric. The amount of total activetypically sprayed onto the fabric is from 0.01% to 3%, preferably from0.1% to 2%, more preferably from 0.1% to 1%, by weight of the fabric.Once an effective amount of the composition is sprayed onto the fabricthe fabric is optionally, but preferably stretched. The fabric istypically stretched perpendicular to the wrinkle. The fabric can also besmoothed by hand after it has been sprayed. The smoothing movement worksparticularly well on areas of clothing that have interface sewn intothem, or on the hem of clothing. Once the fabric has been sprayed andoptionally, but preferably, stretched, it is hung until dry.

Accordingly, there is provided a method for reducing wrinkles on fabricswhich comprises the steps of contacting the fabrics with a compositionof the invention, as defined herein before.

By “contacting”, it is meant any steps that is suitable for providing acontact of the composition with the fabric. This can include by soaking,washing, rinsing, and/or spraying as well as by means of a dryer sheetonto which is adsorbed the composition.

Further, the use of the nonionic humectant as defined herein has alsobeen found beneficial to the reduction of wrinkles upon the treatment offabrics. Accordingly, there is also provided use of the nonionicpolyhydric alcohol humectant for reducing wrinkles on fabrics treatedtherewith.

Of course, when the humectant is in individual form, it can be providedin any suitable form for the contacting with the fabric to occur, suchas in liquid form like aqueous form.

The composition of the present invention can also be used as an ironingaid. An effective amount of the composition can be sprayed onto fabric,wherein said fabric should not be sprayed to saturation. The fabric canbe ironed at the normal temperature at which it should be ironed. Thefabric can be sprayed with an effective amount of the composition,allowed to dry and then ironed, or sprayed and ironed immediately.

In a still further aspect of the invention, the composition can besprayed onto fabrics by means of an in-home de-wrinkling apparatuscontaining the fabric to be dewrinkled, thereby providing ease ofoperation. Conventional personal as well as industrial de-wrinklingapparatus are suitable for use herein. Traditionally, these apparatusact by a steaming process which provides a relaxing of the fibers. Thespraying of the composition or compounds on the fabrics can then occurswithin the chamber of the apparatus or before placing the fabrics intothe chamber. Again, the spraying means should preferably be capable ofproviding droplets with a mean diameter of from 3 to 50 μm, preferablyfrom 5-30 μm for automatic sprayer, and preferably from 50-100 μm formanually activated sprayer. Preferably, the loading of moisture onfabrics made of natural and synthetic fibers is from 5 to 25%, morepreferably from 5 to 10% by weight of the dried fabric. Otherconventional steps for the dewrinkling apparatus can be applied such asheating and drying. Optionally, for optimum dewrinkling benefit, thetemperature of the conditioning composition can be heated to enhancedistribution and deposition of the conditioning composition on thegarments. In that regard, the temperature of the conditioningcomposition can be as low as room temperature, and preferably is from35° C. to 80° C., more preferably from 40-70° C. By having theconditioning composition at the aforementioned elevated temperatures, ithas been found that superior de-wrinkling benefits are achieved. Itshould be understood that the temperature of the conditioningcomposition can be from about ambient (15° C.) temperature to about 80°C., and higher temperatures generally improve de-wrinkling performance.

It has also been found that effective softening composition distributionon the garments, e.g inside the cabinet, can be further enhanced byoptimally selecting the fluid surface tension of the softeningcomposition. For example, it is preferable for the softening compositionto have fluid surface tension of from about 5 dynes/cm to about 60dynes/cm, more preferably of from about 20 dynes/cm to about 55dynes/cm, and most preferably, from about 20 dynes/cm to about 30dynes/cm. The lower surface tension of the softening compositionimproves effective distribution by improving surface absorption andspreading of the softening composition on the garment fabric.

Furthermore, it is preferable for the softening composition to have afluid viscosity of from about 1 cps to about 100 cps, more preferablyfrom about 1 cps to about 50 cps, and most preferably of from about 1cps to about 20 cps as measured by a standard Brookfield viscometer.

In the examples, the abbreviated component identifications have thefollowing meanings:

Wetting agent 1: N,N dimethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-dodecyl/ tetradecylammonium bromide Wetting agent 2: C12/C14 Choline ester Wetting agent 3:C8/C12 dimethyl, hydroxyethyl quaternary ammonium salt Wetting agent 4:Silwet L-7600 commercially available from OSi Specialties Lubricant:N,N-di-(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-N- (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methylsulfate Cyclodextrin: Hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin preservative:Kathon Dye fixative: Cationic dye fixing agent (50% active) availableunder the tradename Tinofix Eco from Ciba-Geigy Carezyme: Cellulyticenzyme of activity 1000 CEVU/g sold by NOVO Industries A/S and ofactivity mentioned above unless otherwise specified

The invention is illustrated in the following non limiting examples, inwhich all percentages are on a weight basis unless otherwise stated.

Example I A B C D E Glycerol 0.75% 0.75% — — — Di-ethylene — — 0.75%0.75% 0.75% glycol Wetting agent 1 0.33% — — — — Wetting agent 4 — 0.25%0.25% 0.25% 0.25% Sodium sulphate 0.75% 0.75% 0.75% — — Calcium chloride0.75% 0.75% 0.75% 0.50% 0.75% Lubricant — — — 0.40% — Cyclodextrin 1.00%1.00% — — — Preservative 3 ppm 3 ppm — — — Perfume 0.10% 0.10% — — —Water Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance F G H I Sorbitol 0.7% — —— Ethylene glycol — — 0.6% 1.0% Propylene glycol — 3.0% — Wetting agent1 — — 1.5% — Wetting agent 2 — 0.3% — — Wetting agent 3 0.7% — — 0.5%Magnesium sulphate 0.7% — 3.0% — Sodium borate — — — 1.0% Sodium citrate— 2.0% — — Dye fixative — 0.5% — — Carezyme — 0.1% — — Perfume 0.15%0.3% 0.1% 0.4% Water Balance Balance Balance Balance

What is claimed is:
 1. A wrinkle reducing composition, comprising: (A) awrinkle reducing active, comprising a nonionic polyhydric alcoholhumectant present in an amount of from 0.01% to 10% by weight of thecomposition, and a salt made of alkali and/or alkaline earth metalpresent in an amount of from 0.01% to 10% by weight of the composition,and (B) a liquid aqueous carrier; wherein said composition has a fluidsurface tension of from about 20 dynes/cm to about 55 dynes/cm and/orhas a fluid viscosity of from about 1 cps to about 50 cps.
 2. Acomposition according to claim 1, wherein said nonionic polyhydricalcohol humectant is a polyol having from 2 to 8 hydroxy groups.
 3. Acomposition according to claim 2, wherein said humectant is selectedfrom the group consisting of glycerol, ethylene glycol, propyleneglycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, sorbitol, erythritol, andmixtures thereof.
 4. A composition according to claim 1, wherein thenonionic humectant is present in amount of from 0.1 to 10% by weight ofthe composition.
 5. A composition according to claim 4, wherein thenonionic humectant is present in amount of from 0.1 to 5% by weight ofthe composition.
 6. A composition according to claim 5, wherein thenonionic humectant is present in amount of from 0.1 to 1.5% by weight ofthe composition.
 7. A composition according to claim 1, wherein saidsalt is selected from the group consisting of sodium, calcium,potassium, magnesium, and mixtures thereof.
 8. A composition accordingto claim 7, wherein said salt is present in an amount of from 0.1 to 10%by weight of the composition.
 9. A composition according to claim 8,wherein said salt is present in an amount of from 0.1 to 5% by weight ofthe composition.
 10. A composition according to claim 9, wherein saidsalt is present in an amount of from 0.1 to 1.5% by weight of thecomposition.
 11. A composition according to claim 10, wherein the liquidaqueous carrier comprises from 50% to 95%, by weight of the composition.12. A composition according to claim 10, wherein the liquid aqueouscarrier comprises from 50% to 95%, by weight of the composition.
 13. Acomposition according to claim 10, wherein the liquid aqueous carriercomprises from 50% to 95%, by weight of the composition.
 14. Acomposition according to claim 1, wherein said composition furthercomprises a water soluble wetting agent.
 15. A composition according toclaim 14, wherein said wetting agent is a cationic surfactant.
 16. Acomposition according to claim 15, wherein said wetting agent is offormula: [R¹N⁺R3]X⁻ wherein R¹ is C₁₀-C₂₂ hydrocarbon group, or thecorresponding ester linkage interrupted group with a C₁-C₄ alkylenegroup between the ester linkage and the N, each R is a C₁-C₄ alkyl orsubstituted alkyl, or hydrogen, and the counterion X⁻ is a softenercompatible anion.
 17. A composition according to claim 14, wherein saidcationic surfactant is a choline ester.
 18. A composition according toclaim 17, wherein said cationic surfactant is of formula:

wherein R₁ is a C₁₀-C₂₂, linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl or alkarylchain or M⁻.N⁺(R₆R₇R₈)(CH₂)_(s); X and Y, independently, are selectedfrom the group consisting of COO, OCO, O, CO, OCOO, CONH, NHCO, OCONHand NHCOO wherein at least one of X or Y is a COO, OCO, OCOO, OCONH orNHCOO group; R₂, R₃, R₄, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently selected fromthe group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl and hydroxy-alkenylgroups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and alkaryl groups; and R₅ isindependently H or a C₁-C₃ alkyl group; wherein the values of m, n, sand t independently lie in the range of from 0 to 8, the value of b liesin the range from 0 to 20, and the values of a, u and v independentlyare either 0 or 1 with the proviso that at least one of u or v must be1; and wherein M is a counter anion.
 19. A composition according toclaim 14, wherein said wetting agent is a nonionic surfactant.
 20. Acomposition according to claim 19, wherein said wetting agent isselected from the group consisting of a polyalkyleneoxide polysiloxanesurfactant, a block polymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide basedon ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, orethylenediamine, and mixtures thereof.
 21. A composition according toclaim 19, wherein said wetting agent is an anionic surfactant.
 22. Acomposition according to claim 21, wherein said wetting agent is analkylsulphosuccinate surfactant.
 23. A composition according to claim11, wherein said wetting agent is present in an amount of from 0.1 to10% by weight.
 24. A composition according to claim 1, wherein saidcomposition further comprises a lubricant selected from the groupconsisting of a water-insoluble cationic softener, nonionic softener andmixtures thereof.
 25. A composition according to claim 1, wherein saidcomposition further comprises an uncomplexed cyclodextrin.
 26. Acomposition according to claim 1, wherein said composition has a fluidsurface tension of from about 20 dynes/cm to about 55 dynes/cm.
 27. Acomposition according to claim 1, wherein said composition has a fluidviscosity of from about 1 cps to about 50 cps.
 28. A method for reducingor removing wrinkles on fabrics which comprises the steps of contactingthe fabrics with a composition as defined in claim
 1. 29. A method forreducing or removing wrinkles on fabrics and malodours on fabrics whichcomprises the steps of contacting the fabrics with a composition asdefined in claim
 25. 30. A method according to claim 28, wherein thecomposition is contacted with the fabrics by means of a spray dispenser.31. A method according to claim 28, wherein the fabrics are placed intoa dewrinkling apparatus.
 32. A method according to claim 31, wherein theapparatus comprises spraying means that provide droplets with a meandiameter of 3 to 50 μm.
 33. A packaged composition comprising thecomposition of claim 1, in a spray dispenser.
 34. A packaged compositionaccording to claim 33, wherein said spray dispenser comprises a triggerspray device that provides droplets with a weight average diameter offrom 8 to 100 μm.
 35. The method according to claim 30, wherein saidspray dispenser comprises a trigger spray device that provides dropletswith a weight average diameter of from 8 to 100 μm.
 36. A compositionaccording to claim 24, wherein the nonionic softener is selected fromthe group consisting of a cyclomethicone, a fatty acid ester of a mono-or polyhydric alcohol or anhydride thereof containing from 1 to 8 carbonatoms, and mixtures thereof.